By Francis Onoiribholo Bureau Chief Benin
Some Election Observer groups have expressed concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), querying the credibility of the results.
The group which jointly signed a statement to denounce the results of the collation process includes the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa.
“The group, in the statement titled” “Joint Statement by Election Observer groups on the Transparency of the Results Collation Process in the 2024 Edo Governorship Election” stated as follows:
“We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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“Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, 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 recognizing 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 centers.
“We wish to emphasize 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”.
