Edo governorship election fell short of credibility requirements—Observers

The observers said this on Monday in Abuja while addressing newsmen on their observations during the election held on Saturday.

They include Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), and TAF Africa.

Reading a joint statement by the groups, Mrs Mimijoo Achakpa, Co-Convener, Situation Room said the group was not satisfied with the results collation process.

“The Situation Room and its partners are concerned that the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and guidelines of INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) on collation process appeared to have been compromised in the Edo State Governorship election 2024.

“The collation process in this election was again a weak link. Our observation of the collation process shows that it was not transparent nor opened to representatives of the various candidates in some cases.

“In addition, it lacks transparency in the application of the provision of the Electoral Act and the INEC Guidelines on over-voting and cancellation of results from polling units.

“This raised major question on the lack of clarity and uniformity in the application of rule on cancellation of ballots across different LGAs’’, she said.

According to her, there were several reports of over-voting and lack of inclusion with voters with disabilities resorting to assisted-voting.

She said this compromised their independence and privacy.

The observers therefore recommended that INEC should investigate polling officials and collation officers involved in the alleged violation of the guidelines on results collation.

Ms Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes, YIAGA Africa urged security agencies to provide public with information on disciplinary actions taken against their officers found culpable with election fraud.

She said polls ought to be conducted with electoral integrity standards which were not met. (NAN)