INEC Refutes APC claims of BVAS smuggling in Edo Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for inspection in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State was “smuggled” into the INEC office.

In a statement signed by Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, INEC emphasized that it will not tolerate manipulations or falsehoods.

The Commission conducted a thorough investigation into the APC’s claims and found them to be “baseless” and “unsubstantiated.”

The statement detailed INEC’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process, asserting that at no point were the BVAS machines or voter 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,” the statement read.

INEC reiterated its dedication to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, warning that it would not accept any form of malpractice or manipulation.

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The integrity of all electoral materials remains intact, the Commission assured.

In compliance with a recent court order permitting the inspection of electoral materials, including the BVAS machines and voter registers, INEC is prepared to facilitate the inspection process and ensure transparency.

The Commission urged all parties to cooperate fully during this process.

“We appeal 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,” the statement concluded.

“INEC’s commitment to neutrality and excellence in electoral administration remains unwavering, and we will continue to work towards the preservation of democracy and the rule of law in Edo State and Nigeria at large.”

This announcement was made by Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the Edo State Independent National Electoral Commission.