Edo Guber: Anxiety As INEC Fails To Commence Collation Of Result At 10am

Anxiety is building as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed to begin collation of results at the governorship election that was held on Saturday in Edo State.

THE WHISTLER witnessed an empty hall even as the police ordered journalists to leave the collation centre.

INEC had said collation of results would start by 19am.

But when c

hecked at 10:45 a.m, no official was in sight at the collation centre which is INEC’s state office in Benin City, the state capital.

The commission, in a statement on Sunday morning issued by Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, its Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, said collation would kick off by 10am.

“This is to inform the general public, Political Stakeholders and observers that the Collation of results for the ongoing Edo State Governors Election will resume today (Sunday) 22nd September, 2024 at 10:00am,” the statement said.

It added, “The Collation process is being conducted transparently and in accordance with the extant laws and guidelines of the Independent National. Electoral Commission (INEC). We appreciate the patience and cooperation of the parties as we strive to ensure a credible and accurate outcome of this important Election.

“We urge all stakeholders to maintain peace and order as we conclude the collation process. INEC remains committed to delivering a free, fair and transparent Election in Edo State,” the statement said.

It’s not clear when the collation of results will begin even as two of the leading parties are anxious about the development.

Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress who are hopeful of victory were seen gathering at a distance to the collation centre.