Representatives of six of the eighteen political parties that took part in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State have adjourned the inspection of electoral materials at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin, till October 14.
The political parties’ representatives jointly took the decision yesterday after a crucial meeting.
The election petitions tribunal-ordered joint inspection of election materials faced challenges in the last few days, but the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Edo, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, assured that all the hitches had been resolved for the exercise to progress as planned.
Representatives of the political parties, however, noted that their decision to shift the joint inspection till Monday was based on INEC’s inability to commence the inspection yesterday.
The resolution was signed by representatives of six political parties that participated in the election won by Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The representatives were Obodeje Oghorin, counsel to All Progressives Party (APP); Kenny Isokpan, Edo Chairman of Boot Party (BP); Osahon Obamogie, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Sylvester Ugberase, counsel to Action Peoples Party (APP); Dr. Bishop Akahaime, of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); and Jarret Tenebe, Edo Chairman of APC.
The representatives also indicated that the rescheduled inspection of electoral materials would commence at 11 a.m. at the headquarters of INEC, thereby obeying the order of the tribunal.
Meanwhile, INEC has debunked the allegations of BVAS machine smuggling in Edo, describing it as baseless, unsubstantiated and without merit.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) had, in a petition to INEC on October 10, alleged that PDP members had smuggled BVAS machines and voter registers into INEC’s office in Benin.
However, in a statement in Benin yesterday, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, said that the commission had completed its investigation into the allegations and found it to be baseless, unsubstantiated and without merit.
Onuoha reassured the public that at no time were BVAS machines or voter registers compromised or unlawfully accessed by any political party or external party.
He said that INEC remained fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
“Recognising the seriousness of these claims, the commission conducted its investigation with the highest level of rigour, professionalism and impartiality.
“As an institution tasked with ensuring free, fair and credible elections, INEC will not tolerate any form of malpractice.
“The integrity of all electoral materials, including BVAS, remains fully intact and secure,” he said.
Onuoha stated that in compliance with a recent court order, INEC was ready to facilitate the inspection of election materials and would ensure transparency in the handling of the BVAS machines and adherence to the rule of law.
He urged all political parties to cooperate during the inspection process.
The REC also advised political actors to focus on strengthening democratic principles and avoid actions that could erode public confidence in the electoral system.
He said that the commission remained steadfast in its commitment to neutrality and excellence in electoral administration, and ensuring credible outcomes in all elections.