The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has refuted claims that it obstructed political parties from inspecting election materials and BVAS machines used in the recent governorship election. In a statement issued by Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the commission described the allegations from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, as baseless and misleading.
Dr. Onuoha emphasized INEC's commitment to transparency and integrity in the electoral process, stating that the commission had scheduled the inspection of materials at its headquarters in Benin for Wednesday. He affirmed that access to the materials is a legal right for all political parties involved in election petitions and that INEC has a mandate to facilitate this process.
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The commissioner further clarified that there was no obstruction from him or any officials in his office regarding the inspection. He reassured political parties that they would have unhindered access to the materials, provided they follow the proper legal procedures as outlined by the election petition tribunal.
Dr. Onuoha urged stakeholders and the public to disregard any misinformation regarding the inspection process, reinforcing INEC's dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring a fair electoral process in Nigeria. He encouraged any parties wishing to engage with his office on this matter to do so through the appropriate legal channels.
