Edo 2024: INEC Shelves Inspection Of Electoral Materials Indefinitely Over Gunshots
- APC, PDP clash, spin allegations on BVAS
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday suspended indefinitely the inspection of materials from the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election following sporadic gunfire allegedly fired by suspected political thugs at the Edo State office of the Commission in Benin, the state capital.
This is as suspected supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also clashed near the Ikpoba River, about 700 meters from the INEC office with several persons reportedly sustaining bullet wounds during the confrontation.
Earlier scheduled to commence on Wednesday, the inspection of materials was delayed following an objection from the APC, which insisted that the exercise should not start with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), as ordered by the Tribunal in favour of the PDP.
While arguing that the exercise should start with the voter register, the APC further stated that they were served with the inspection schedule just minutes before the exercise was about to commence on Wednesday and, as a result, there was no adequate time to bring their copy of the register.
This submission by the APC informed the electoral Commission’s decision to shift the exercise to Thursday to accommodate all parties’ interests.
Unfortunately, the Thursday session convened for the inspection flagged off in a contentious fashion as the APC, through its Edo State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, again fired a petition at the INEC Director of Operations, alleging that the BVAS machines and voter registers were brought into the INEC complex on Wednesday in vehicles belonging to the Edo State Government.
The insistence by the APC team that their petition must be addressed before the exercise begins, infuriated the PDP representatives. Demanding that INEC proceed with the inspection as initially agreed, the PDP accused the APC of making allegations that are “frivolous, baseless, and lacking in truth”, adding that such claims can not override an existing and valid court order.
Amid the confusion over how to proceed with the exercise, the electoral Commission stepped in and doused the tension between both parties by adjourning the materials inspection indefinitely.
Addressing journalists on INEC’s indefinite postponement of the exercise, APC’s Counsel, Victor Ohionsumua, said the Party would only return for the inspection after their petition had been addressed, saying; “This morning (Thursday), the state APC chairman submitted a petition to the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Onuoha Anugbum, the Commissioner of Police, and the Department of State Services in Edo.”
Alleging that the BVAS machines and voter registers were brought into the INEC complex a few days ago in Edo State Government vehicles, he said; “On that basis, we objected that the petition must be addressed before the materials inspection can proceed.
“The INEC legal officer wanted to move forward with the inspection without directives from the REC. We insisted on hearing from the REC and that our petition must be addressed before proceeding. During this, the situation became chaotic, and we began hearing gunshots outside the complex. The INEC Director of Operations then decided to adjourn the inspection indefinitely, citing security concerns. He has not informed us if we are to return on Friday.”
Also speaking on the development, the factional Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo State, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, expressed concern over the atmosphere at the INEC head office, maintaining that it was not safe and conducive for the inspection to take place.
Ogbaloi stated thus; “The situation here is chaotic, and it is not the right environment for an exercise of this nature to occur. In my view, INEC and the political parties must come together to ensure that the inspection is conducted properly.
“A level playing field must be provided for those contesting the election outcome so that the process is fair and acceptable to the people of Edo State. Today, there is a complete disagreement between the APC and PDP, and it seems unlikely that any inspection can take place.”
Meanwhile, it was all mum within the PDP camp as the party officials were not forthcoming with comments on the latest happenings, even as a top official, who preferred anonymity, hinted that they are going back to re-strategize on the best way forward in addressing what he described as APC’s “shenanigans” aimed at frustrating the process of inspecting the electoral materials
