CSOs to INEC: Invoke powers to address violations in Edo guber poll

Some civil society organisations (CSOs) monitoring the governorship election in Edo state have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to invoke its powers under the Electoral Act to address violations in the ongoing collation of results for the poll.

In a jointly signed statement on Sunday, the group, including Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER, and TAF Africa, expressed worries over reports of disruptions and intimidation at ward and LGA collation centres.

“We, the undersigned accredited civil society organisations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the statement reads.

“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.”

The group also acknowledged INEC’s recent statement regarding reports of result manipulation and urged the electoral body to take swift action.

The CSOs further called on INEC to utilise its powers under section 65 of the Electoral Act to review any results that may have been declared under duress or in violation of electoral regulations.

“We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognizing reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations,” they added.

The group also appealed to security agencies to maintain neutrality and ensure the safety of all parties involved in the collation process.

“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 centres,” they said.

“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 negatively impact the credibility of the outcome of the election.”