Awka - The names of one dead Nigerian, Gani Fawehinmi, and one dead American, Malcolm X, have surfaced on the voters' register the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) produced for the Anambra State Governorship ballot slated for February 6, 2010.

Also on the register is Jim Nwobodo, former Governor of old Anambra State, who is from Enugu State.

Fawehinmi, a human rights lawyer, who was from Ondo State, died on September 15, 2009.

Malcolm X, an African-American human rights activist, died on February 21, 1965.

Chukwuma Soludo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chris Ngige (Action Congress, AC), and Uche Ekwunife (Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA), all Governorship candidates, have alleged fraud.

The soft copy of the register the INEC provided the political parties showed that most electoral units have over 5,000 registered voters, against the 500 voters approved by the INEC.

Several polling units have no recorded voters, meaning that no election result would come from such units.

Fawehinmi's name appeared against that of Albert O. Asoanya, aged 49, a civil servant with registration number 90800201145 in Ezinifite ward I of Nnewi South Council.

The same ward has the picture of Nwobodo against that of Donatus N. Egwu, 51, a businessman.

The picture of Malcom X was found in a ward in Amansea in Awka North Council.

Olumbanasa-Ode, Odomage polling unit in Anambra West Council has 2,896 voters. The polling unit in Community Primary School, Igbokenyi has 25.

Aniocha town hall in Olumbanasa-Ode has no registered voter, likewise Community Primary School, Ode.

In Ayamelum Council, polling units have 1,259 for Eke Market Square I, 662 for Eke Market II, CPCS Umueje (3) 1,417, another Umueje (4) 1,428, Amoli Village Square (5) 938, and Amoli Village Square (6) 1,443.

In Awka North, Achalla polling units registered between 639 and 1,400 voters.

"The level of mistake is outrageous," complained Ngige Campaign Organisation Research and Strategy Director, Kingsley Ezenwenyi.

"Some polling stations have no single registration and I do not think how that could be possible.

"This is what we are compiling, and we shall take it to the people in those wards and communities to identify the pictures and names if they are their brothers, sisters or friends, resident in those wards."

Ngige Campaign Organisation Director General, Benson Nwosu, demanded the resignation of the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Josiah Uwazuruike.

He alleged that Uwazuruike is a relation to INEC Chairman, Maurice Iwu, and an in-law to a Governorship candidate from Anambra South Senatorial District (name withheld).

Nwosu added: "If this is true, and I believe that it is true, he must - in compliance with equity, natural justice, and fair play - remove himself from that position as an umpire. The issue of bias should be beyond reasonable doubt.

"If a Judge of any High Court discovers that the case before him and the persons in the case are friends or where he has business interest, such a Judge would call for the reassigning of the case.

"I also call for the removal of Victor Chukwuani and Okey Ndeke, and the security operatives must also know that members of the Monitoring Committee do not plant their surrogates."

Soludo Campaign Organisation Chairman, Okey Aroh, said: "Much as we have confidence in the ability of the INEC to conduct a free and fair Governorship election in Anambra State, we shall not give room for a situation whereby the electoral process is manipulated by a person or group of persons.

"The irregularities in the voters' registration exercise is most shameful, and we are not going to allow the product of such irregularities to succeed. We urge the (INEC) to be alive to its responsibilities."

Ekwunife stated that under a free and fair election, "I will floor the men. Anambra people know me.

"Anything short of a free and fair election in Anambra, that result will not be announced, there will be turmoil in Anambra.

"The last time we had a stakeholders' meeting, (Iwu) promised that there would be a free and fair election. We would want to believe in what he said."

source: Okey Maduforo - Daily Independent