Lagos -The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Tuesday denied allegations that it had colluded with one of the political parties to rig the governorship poll in Lagos.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, said that making the allegations were `cheap blackmailers’.

The commissioner explained that the system being used by INEC made it impossible for its officials, especially returning officers, to change the results.

“In the first instance, I am not the returning officer for the governorship poll in Lagos State.

“I will only be involved in the final collation of results brought in by officers from the 20 local government areas.

“With the system we have, it makes it easier for political parties to collate their own results from their agents thus making it impossible for anyone to manipulate,’’ he said.

Ogunmola reiterated that the Prof Attahiru Jega-led INEC was resolved to ensure very credible polls, devoid of litigations or condemnations emanating from fraud.

The REC assured youth corps members of their safety.

 15 candidates are contesting the governorship poll in Lagos State. They include Mr Babatunde Fashola of the ACN, Osagide Lugard of ADC, Mumuni Nurain of CPC, Akinnola Obadia of CPN and Olulana Michael of the Labour Party.

Others are Akele Ayodele of NCP, Soyemi Niyi of NNPP, Akintola Bello of NPC, Abayomi Asunni of NTP, Ade Dosunmu of PDP, Victor Adeniji of PRP and Jaiye Kofolaran Randle of the SDMP.

Similarly, a total of 371 candidates will be contesting the 40 house of assembly seats in the state.

The NIIA Director, Prof Bola Akinterinwa, is the returning officer for the governorship poll in the state.