The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has issued a stern warning to political actors against the disruption of the results collation process of the Edo State governorship election.
INEC National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna gave the warning in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Haruna said that INEC was disturbed by reports of threats resulting in a stampede at its office in Okpoba Okha LGA on Saturday, as well as the action of some political actors at its head office in Edo State.
He said that following the conclusion of voting on Saturday, the Commission activated the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and uploaded the Polling Unit results, and the same results had also been collated from all 192 wards.
According to him, collation had been concluded in most of the LGAs and designated officials were already at the collation centre in Benin City or on their way.
The national commissioner explained that there is a mechanism for redressing complaints during collation, including the power to review results declared under duress.
Haruna said that the Commission would not hesitate to invoke such powers where necessary.
He said that accredited party agents, observers and the media should be granted unimpeded access to all collation centres.
He called on the security agencies to continue to maintain the same vigilance and professionalism that led to the peaceful conduct of the election.
“We are set to commence state-level collation. However, the Commission received a deeply disturbing report from our Resident Electoral Commissioner of a threat to our office in Okpoba Okha on Saturday, resulting in a stampede in which one of our officials was injured.
“We are similarly disturbed by the overnight presence and demonstrations by some political actors and their supporters at our State Head Office ahead of the commencement of final collation.
“These actions are uncalled for. Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the collation of results will proceed as provided by the Electoral Act 2022 and our regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections,” he said.