In the ongoing governorship election in Edo State, concerns about transparency have been raised by groups of election observers while voters await the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last announcement of results from one Local Government Area.
Election observer groups such as the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, and others have jointly expressed concerns about the transparency of the results collation process, on Sunday.
While INEC continues with its announcement, the election observer groups have called on the Commission to investigate reports of votes “mutilation” in some areas and have warned security agencies against interfering in the election process.
The coalition of election observers also warned security agencies to desist from interfering in the election process.
The statement read, “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organisations observing the 2024 Edo Governorship Election, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centres, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process.
“We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognising reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.
“In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.
“We further call on security agencies to refrain from interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, the media, and election observers are granted full access to collation centres. We wish to emphasise that the role of security agencies in the election is to safeguard the process and not to create a situation that will undermine the transparency of the process and thus impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election.”
The election, which took place on Saturday, is between the major leading candidates Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party. As of now, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is leading with a margin of 54,437 votes ahead of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with results from only one local government area (LGA) of Ikpoba-Okha yet to be announced. The APC has secured 275,329 votes and won majority votes in 11 LGAs, while the PDP has garnered 220,892 votes and won in six LGAs. The outcome of the remaining LGA will be crucial in determining the final result of the governorship election.
