The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has described as false the allegations made by the AlI Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the purported smuggling of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and voters’ registers into the INEC office by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edo State, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha who disclosed this in a statement on Friday said, after thorough investigation, and
comprehensive review of the allegations, it was determined that the allegations were baseless, unsubstantiated, and entirely without merit.
He said, “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. We urge all parties to cooperate fully during this process,” the State Commissioners said.
He appealed to all political actors to focus on the democratic principles that bind the people and avoid actions or rhetoric that may undermine public confidence in the nation’s electoral system.
“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,” he noted.
