The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC said it is set to begin state-level collation of results of Saturday’s Governorship Election in Edo state.
This was as the commission said it has received disturbing reports of threats to its office in Okpoba Okha Local Government Area, saying it will not hesitate to review results declared under duress.
INEC National Commissioner and Member of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna disclosed this in a statement issued Sunday in Abuja.
While the commission decided that Journalists, accredited observers and party agents must be granted unhindered access to collation centres, it however lamented the overnight presence of some political actors at its state office.
Mohammed said; “Following the conclusion of voting yesterday, the Commission activated the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and uploaded the Polling Unit results in earnest. The same results have also been collated from all the 192 Wards. Similarly, collation has been concluded in most of the Local Government Areas and the designated officials are already at the collation centre in Benin City or on their way. We are set to commence State-level collation.
“However, the Commission received a deeply disturbing report from our Resident Electoral Commissioner of a threat to our office in Okpoba Okha Local Government Area yesterday, resulting in a stampede in which one of our officials was injured. We are similarly distubed by the overnight presence and demonstrations by some political actors and their supporters at our State Head Office ahead of the commencement of final collation. These actions are uncalled for. Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the collation of result will proceed as provided by the Electoral Act 2022 and our regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections. There is a mechanism for redressing complaints during collation, including the power to review results declared under duress. The Commission will not hesitate to invoke such powers where necessary.
“Accredited party agents, observers and the media should be granted unimpeded access to all collation centres.
“The Commission calls on the security agencies to continue to maintain the same vigilance and professionalism that led to the peaceful conduct of the election as we conclude the process”.