The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday described as “baseless, unsubstantiated, and entirely without merit” allegation made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) smuggled Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and voters’ registers into its Edo State head office.
The APC had on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in the course of inspecting electoral materials used for the Edo State governorship election, drew attention of the Commission to its petition alleging that the PDP which was in the INEC facility for materials inspection for the Edo State governorship election on Wednesday smuggled BIVAS and Voters’ Register into the Commission’s Benin office.
State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, made the allegation on Thursday that the petition should be addressed before commencing inspection of materials.
The APC and the PDP have been at loggerheads over the inspection of electoral materials which the PDP said it wants to use to flesh up its petition at the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal.
Responding to the allegation in a statement titled ‘Response to the Petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo state Alleging Smuggling of BVAS Machines and Voters’ Registers into INEC Office Edo State,’ Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edo State, said the Commission “thorough investigation into the allegations” shows that the allegation has no merit.
Onuoha, in the statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Benin, reiterated INEC’s commitment to maintaining and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
The statement reads in part: “INEC maintains a steadfast commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process, and at no time were the BVAS machines or voters’ registers compromised or unlawfully accessed by any political party or external entity.
“We fully understand the gravity of such claims, which is why the investigation was conducted with the utmost rigor and impartiality.
“As an institution charged with the sacred responsibility of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, INEC will not tolerate any form of malpractice or manipulation, and the integrity of all electoral materials remains fully intact.
“In light of these findings, we are in full compliance with the recent court order directing the inspection of electoral materials, including the BVAS machines and voters’ registers.
“INEC is prepared to facilitate this inspection process, ensuring transparency and adherence to the rule of law.”
The REC, while “appealing to all political actors to focus on the democratic principles that bind us and avoid actions or rhetoric that may undermine public confidence in our electoral system,” also urged “all parties to cooperate fully” during the inspection process.”
Meanwhile, the Edo PDP Youth Movement on Friday called on INEC to rise above political interference and fulfill its duty by facilitating an impartial review of the BVAS machines and other materials saying that anything less would be a betrayal of democracy and a disservice to the people of Edo State, to whom INEC’s primary loyalty should be.
“As party members, we want to restate that we will not relent in our efforts to expose this broad daylight robbery and reclaim the mandate that was duly given to the PDP by the majority of Edo people.
” We call on INEC to rise above political interference and fulfill its duty by facilitating an impartial review of the BVAS machines and other materials. Anything less would be a betrayal of democracy and a disservice to the people of Edo State, to whom INEC’s primary loyalty should be. Signed: Edo PDP Youth Movement.”