Allow Observers, Media Access To Edo election Collation Centres -CSOs

Civil Society Organisations (CSO) observing the Edo election to decide the next governor have demanded that media and observer groups be granted access to collation centres.

They made the demand to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today, expressing concern over transparency in the process that would produce the next governor of the state.

The CSOs – six in number, – made their demands through a joint statement signed by the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER, and TAF Africa.

“We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation for the 2024 Edo governorship election by INEC.

“Reports of disruptions at collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results against electoral provisions, have raised credibility concerns about the process.

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“INEC’s statement acknowledging reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate any proven violations is a step in the right direction but needs prompt action.

“We urge INEC to invoke Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review declarations where results were not voluntarily declared or violated electoral provisions.

“Security agencies must ensure non-interference in the collation process, allowing party agents, the media, and observers full access to maintain transparency and uphold electoral integrity, ” the statement said.

According to them, we emphasise the role of security agencies in safeguarding the election process, rather than undermining it, to preserve the credibility of the election outcome.

Nigerians as well as the international community are keen on the outcome of the Edo election given its overral importance to the polity.