The Action Peoples Party (APP) in Osun State has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to bolster the security of its technological infrastructure ahead of the governorship election scheduled for August 15.
In a statement released on Sunday by Odesola Oluseye Titus, the APP chairman in Osun, the party warned against any attempts to manipulate electoral technology, stressing that the integrity of the election must be protected.
The APP demanded that INEC take immediate steps to secure all electronic systems used in the electoral process, including rigorous checks on the voter register, ensuring card readers function properly, and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data.
“We call on INEC to act swiftly to safeguard the entire technological framework from fraudulent activities and tampering,” the statement read. “This involves strict verification of the voters’ roll, operational card readers, and robust data protection measures.”
The party insisted that every eligible voter must be allowed to exercise their franchise freely and fairly, without any technical hindrances.
“We expect INEC to uphold its constitutional duty to the people and guarantee that the election is transparent, credible, and free from any form of technical manipulation,” the party added.
The APP’s concerns stem from reports of alleged technical irregularities during the recent governorship election in Ekiti State, which have raised doubts about the reliability of electoral technology.
“The residents of Osun State have watched with growing concern the reports of technical anomalies in the Ekiti election. These issues demand greater scrutiny of the technology used in future polls,” the statement noted.
The party warned that the people of Osun would not tolerate any form of electoral manipulation using technology. “We make it unequivocally clear that the people of Osun will reject any attempt to rig or tamper with the democratic process through technical means.”
“The citizens are closely monitoring developments, and we will not hesitate to mobilize against any tactics aimed at disenfranchising voters or manipulating the outcome of the August 15 governorship election,” Titus emphasized.
The APP expressed hope that INEC would provide assurances that the upcoming election would be conducted with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and fairness.