Benin, Oct. 9, 2024 (TheGavel) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has denied allegations of obstructing any political party from inspecting election materials and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used during the recent governorship election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo, INEC described the accusations as baseless and misleading. The statement was in response to claims by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, that the commission had disobeyed a court order granting inspection of election materials.
Onuoha clarified that INEC had scheduled the inspection for Wednesday at its headquarters in Benin, emphasizing that the commission is committed to transparency and fairness.
He reiterated that the right to inspect election materials is a fundamental entitlement of political parties involved in election petitions, and INEC is legally mandated to facilitate the process. He denied that any obstruction had taken place, assuring that political parties would be granted unhindered access to the materials following the proper legal procedures.
Onuoha urged the public to disregard the accusations, stating that INEC’s loyalty is to the Nigerian people, the Constitution, and the rule of law. He invited all political parties and their representatives to participate in the inspection to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
The REC also encouraged political parties to engage with his office through appropriate legal channels to address any concerns. (NAN)
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