October 09, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has agreed to allow the inspection of the election materials and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used in the September 21 governorship poll in Edo State.
Ruling in the suit marked EPT/ED/GOV/01M/2024 filed by the PDP and Ighodalo against INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, had issued an enrolled order directing INEC to hand over a comprehensive list of all the electoral materials available in its custody for inspection of the plaintiffs.
In the enrolled order dated Sunday, September 29, 2024, and signed by the Secretary of the Tribunal, Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu Esq., the Chairman of the Tribunal, Honourable Justice W. I. Kpochi, held: “having critically examined the details of the reliefs sought, the supporting Affidavit and Written Address of Counsel, the Application is granted in the following terms:
“It is hereby ordered: ‘That the 1st Respondent is directed to grant the Applicants or their Solicitors and Forensic documents Examiners unfettered access to and open up for inspection all electoral documents or any document in the custody of the National Chief Electoral Commissioner or any officer of the Commission/1st Respondent particularly the Voter Registers, the ballot papers, the BVAS machines, Forms EC25B, EC 25B(1), Forms EC40A and Forms EC40C which were utilised for the conduct Of the Edo State Governorship Election held on the 21st September 2024.
“That the 1st Respondent is mandated to take immediate steps to ensure that all the Forms: EC25B, EC25B(I), EC40A, EC40C, EC40G, EC40G(I) used at the gubernatorial election of 21st of September,2024 either in the custody of the Chief National Electoral Commissioner, Resident Electoral Commissioner of Edo State or any other officer of the Commission are preserved kept temper-proof and secure pending the filing, hearing and determination of the Petition to be filed by the Applicants.
“That the 1s Respondent is further directed to produce and give to the Applicants, forthwith upon payment of appropriate certification fees, a List of accredited agents of all the political parties that participated in the Edo state gubernatorial election. Voters register for each of the polling units” among several other reliefs sought.”
Despite being served with the court order INEC had earlier allegedly refused attempts by Ighodalo and the PDP to inspect the BVAS machines used for the September 21 gubernatorial election.
However, in a letter dated October 8, 2024, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Dr. Anugbom Onuoha, refuted allegations that the Commission had denied access to the critical materials.
Emphasising that INEC remains committed to transparency and integrity in the electoral process, Onuoha assured that the inspection is scheduled for October 9, 2024, at 10:00 am at INEC Headquarters in Edo State.
Chairman of the PDP in Edo State, Anthony Aziegbemin, confirmed the approval, describing it as “a win for democracy and the rule of law”.
“I want to thank all those who came out to protest in support of Ighodalo’s quest to reclaim his stolen mandate. While I have lost faith in the Police and INEC, who I believe colluded with the APC to steal the election, I have absolute confidence in the judiciary. They will do right by the people of Edo State and uphold their decision to elect Asue as their Governor”, he said.
