ELECTION OBSERVERS REJECT EDO GOVERNORSHIP RESULTS, CITE ELECTORAL ACT VIOLATIONS

Over 25 observer groups have expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, particularly criticizing the collation of results at the ward and local government levels. In a joint statement, they claimed that while they were satisfied with results from over 4,500 polling units, the collation process at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City did not follow the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act. They alleged the presence of two sets of result sheets and accused the military and police of disrupting the collation process and intimidating INEC officials. The observers rejected the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner, citing militarization and violations of the Electoral Act.