Edo 2024: INEC Condemns Threats to Office, Warns Against Attempts to Disrupt Election Process

From Moshood Karim

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed strong condemnation of recent threats to its office in Okpoba Okha Local Government Area following the conclusion of voting in the Edo 2024 guber elections.

In a statement released to Uptown Press on Sunday by Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s National Commissioner and a member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission emphasised that any attempt to undermine the election process will not be tolerated.

The incident, which resulted in a stampede and left one INEC official injured, occurred as the Commission was preparing to commence State-level collation of election results. INEC had activated its Result Viewing (IReV) portal shortly after the close of polls, and the results from all 192 Wards had been collated.
Most Local Government Areas had also completed their collation, with designated officials either at or en route to the collation centres in Benin City.

The Commission expressed further concern over overnight demonstrations and the presence of political actors and their supporters at its State Head Office. INEC described these actions as unnecessary and warned that any attempt to disrupt the electoral process would be met with appropriate action.

“Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage, and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness,” the statement read.

INEC assured the public that the collation of results would proceed as stipulated by the Electoral Act 2022 and its regulations. The Commission also reiterated that mechanisms were in place to address any complaints or irregularities during the collation process, including the authority to review results declared under duress.

Furthermore, INEC called on security agencies to continue their vigilant efforts to ensure the peaceful conclusion of the election process.
The Commission also urged party agents, observers, and the media to be granted unhindered access to collation canters.

As the state-level collation begins, INEC has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of the Edo 2024 electoral process.