By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it was set to commence state-level collation of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State but disturbed by insecurity.
The Commission, however, said that it was deeply disturbed over report from its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state of a threat to INEC office in Okpoba-Okha local government area on Saturday, resulting in a stampede in which one of its officials was injured.
INEC also expressed worry over the overnight presence and demonstrations by some political actors and their supporters at its Head Office in Benin City, the state capital, ahead of the commencement of final collation of election results.
INEC National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, stated these in a statement on Sunday morning.
He said the actions were uncalled for and nobody should disrupt the process at any stage and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness.
“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 disturbed 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,” INEC National Commissioner stated.