'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has strongly refuted allegations that it has denied political parties and their representatives access to inspect election materials and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used during the recent elections.
In an official statement issued by Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, INEC addressed the accusations, calling them "baseless, misleading, and completely devoid of truth." Dr. Onuoha emphasized that INEC under his leadership remains committed to transparency, fairness, and integrity in all aspects of the electoral process.
The allegations, which claim that political parties were obstructed from inspecting the election materials, were dismissed by the REC, who clarified that the Commission is fully aware of its legal obligations and has always facilitated the inspection process as mandated by law. "The inspection of election materials is a fundamental right of all parties involved in election petitions, and it is a process that we are mandated by law to facilitate," Dr. Onuoha stated.
He further assured the public that at no time had INEC or its officials in Edo State obstructed any party from accessing the election materials. Dr. Onuoha reiterated that INEC's primary responsibility is to support lawful processes, including enabling political parties to seek redress through the courts when necessary.
In line with this commitment, the REC announced that the inspection of the election materials, including the BVAS devices, has been formally scheduled to take place on **October 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM** at INEC’s headquarters in Edo State. He extended an open invitation to all political parties and their representatives to participate in the exercise, as per legal procedures.
Dr. Onuoha urged political parties to follow the proper procedures as outlined by the Election Tribunal and relevant legal frameworks to access the election materials. "Any political party or candidate seeking to inspect these materials has been and will continue to be granted access, provided they follow the proper procedures," he added.
The REC expressed disappointment over the circulation of the false accusations, stating that it was unfortunate such claims were made without any evidence or prior engagement with his office. He urged the public to disregard the misinformation and reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to upholding the principles of transparency and accountability.
"INEC, as an institution, stands for transparency, and we are fully committed to ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair, and accountable," Dr. Onuoha concluded. He encouraged any party wishing to engage with his office regarding the inspection of election materials to do so through the appropriate legal channels, assuring them of the Commission’s full cooperation.
The statement from INEC comes as the electoral body continues to work towards strengthening the credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria, with a focus on ensuring that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to pursue legal redress through transparent and lawful procedures.