By Gabriel Ewepu

Accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections have expressed concerns over the transparency of the results collation process.

In a joint statement, organizations such as Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, and Centre For Democracy & Development, CDD West-Africa, highlighted reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials.

Key Concerns:

– Disruptions and Intimidation: Reports of disruptions at collation centers in Ikpobba/Okha, Etsako West, Egor, and Oredo LGAs, including intimidation of INEC officials.

– Result Mutilation: Attempts to collate results contrary to the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

– Lack of Transparency: Concerns over the credibility of the results collation process.

Call to Action:

The CSOs urged INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns that violated provisions of the electoral act and INEC regulations. They also called on security agencies to refrain from interfering in the collation process and ensure accredited party agents, media, and election observers have full access to collation centers.

Role of Security Agencies:

The CSOs emphasized that security agencies should safeguard the process, not undermine its transparency, and avoid negatively impacting the election’s credibility.