Election observer organisations have voiced serious concerns about the transparency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.
In a joint statement released on Sunday, several accredited civil society groups—including the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER, and TAF Africa—highlighted issues regarding the ongoing results collation 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).
It continued, “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.”
The groups acknowledged INEC’s recent admission of reports regarding result tampering and its commitment to investigate any verified violations.
They urged INEC to utilise its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or where the Electoral Act and INEC regulations were breached.
The statement also called on security agencies to avoid interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, media representatives, and election observers have unrestricted access to collation centres.