The party accused LASIEC of failing before the polls even began, pointing to widespread late arrival of electoral officials and materials.

The Lagos State chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) has called for the total cancellation of the local government election conducted on Saturday, July 12, accusing the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) of overseeing a “sham election” riddled with irregularities, incompetence, and voter suppression.

In a strongly worded press statement signed by Ayoyinka Oni, Chairman, and Jedege Kehinde, State Secretary of the party, the AAC claimed that the election was compromised from the outset and should be annulled in its entirety.

“The outcome of today’s election is nothing to write home about,” the party said. “Without any doubt, this has been predicted by us, because the foundation of a building does determine how it could withstand a storm.”

The party accused LASIEC of failing before the polls even began, pointing to widespread late arrival of electoral officials and materials.

“All our agents reported late arrival of the electoral officials in their various local government. LASIEC officials came to the polling units at 12pm and many others even later,” AAC stated.

According to the party, the delay discouraged many eligible voters, with some returning home before voting began.

“This was done intentionally to disenfranchise the voters,” the statement alleged.

AAC also cited logistical failures, including complaints from LASIEC’s ad-hoc staff who reportedly said they received ballot papers late and were denied funds on the morning of the exercise. “You can imagine the level of incompetence,” the party remarked.

Another key concern raised was the omission of some party logos from the ballot paper.

“The lack of preparation, which the public is aware of, eroded public confidence, as this brings about voter apathy in the state,” AAC stated.

The party went further to accuse LASIEC of undermining the electoral process and enabling vote rigging by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“LASIEC is a shame to democracy. What kind of sham election is this! No form of accreditation. Anybody can just present anyone's PVC as far as you claim the name on the voters list and vote, or many even voting without any voters list checked.”

“We were aware that LASIEC isn't ready for any credible election through the manners in which they handle the screening process and validation and what has happened today so far is just a confirmation of what we already know,” the statement added.

In an explosive allegation, the AAC accused LASIEC staff of openly collecting bribes.

“They clinically and shamelessly allowed the APC party agents and thugs to rig the election,” the party said.

Security, according to the AAC, was virtually non-existent. The party highlighted incidents of violence in Ikosi-Isheri, Mile 12, and Ajeromi Ifelodun, stating: “The security was zero, police couldn't be on the ground as they usually do during the protest. There was violence... and threats of violence all over the state.”

Quoting a disturbing account from one police official, the AAC noted: “It was not funny to hear from a DPO telling a complainant that they can't be everywhere, this shows the levels of failure in the system.”

“Ignoring the threats reported is the highest crime security agency could commit,” the statement added. “Security lapses equally aided the myriad election malpractices carried out today (Saturday).”

Rejecting the process in its entirety, AAC declared: “We are calling for the total cancellation of the sham election conducted by the LASIEC, it can't be called free, talk less fair.”

The party accused LASIEC of failing to adhere to electoral guidelines or its own training manual.

“In many centres, there was no displacement of the voters' details while many of the officials colluded with APC to rig,” it said.

 Follow the Sahara Reporters channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFClvtH5JM6SSsP7M2Y