- Safiu Kehinde
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has lamented over the low turnout of voters at the just concluded Edo governorship election, revealing that only 20 Percent out of 2.6 million Permanent Voters Card (PVC) holders came to vote.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Muhammed Ishaq, on Thursday.
PRP attributed the poor turnout to widespread discontent and distrust in the efficiency of Nigeria’s democratic processes.
“The abysmally low turnout of 20% of registered voters, out of over 2.6 million collected PVCs, is an outright indictment of the electoral system.
“It is a clear indication of widespread discontent and distrust in the efficiency of our democratic processes.” PRP wrote.
Aside the low turnout, the party also expressed concern over conduct of the election which they alleged was marred with electoral malpractice.
They called for the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission with full prosecutorial powers.
“The PRP believes that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be unbundled and an Electoral Offences Commission with full prosecutorial powers must be established to ensure that electoral malpractices.are put to a stop.
“We cannot continue to tolerate the shenanigans that characterized the Edo election, which undermine out democracy and deny citizens their right to free, fair and credible elections.” The statement read further.
Meanwhile, PRP commended the overall peacefulness of the election, but admitted that it was achieved at the cost of people’s liberties.