Khadijat Yusuf
Edo
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC says it has activated its results Viewing portal (IReV) with uploads of results from all the 192 results from polling units to begin in earnest. While also warning that nobody should disrupt the process at any stage as no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness.
The commission in a statement signed by the National Commissioner & Member, information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna on Sunday, September 22, 2024, also informed that it received reports from the Resident Electoral Commissioner of threat to the commission's office in Okpoba Okha Local government had resulted in stampede where a staff of the commission was injured, as well as visits by some political actors and their supporters to the commission's state office ahead of the final collation.
"Following the conclusion of voting yesterday, the Commission activated the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and uploaded the Polling Unit results in earnest. The same results have also been collated from all the 192 Wards. Similarly, collation has been concluded in most of the Local Government Areas and the designated officials are already at the collation centre in Benin City or on their way. 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 Local Government Area yesterday, 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 result will proceed as provided by the Electoral Act 2022 and our regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections. There is a mechanism for redressing complaints during collation, including the power to review results declared under duress. The Commission will not hesitate to invoke such powers where necessary," he said.
The Commission also reiterates that accredited party agents, observers and the media should be granted unimpeded access to all collation centres, while also calling on the security agencies to continue to maintain the same vigilance and professionalism that led to the peaceful conduct of the election as the process comes to conclusion.
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