The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State has firmly denied accusations that it obstructed political parties from inspecting election materials, including BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) devices, used in the recently concluded governorship election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), dismissed the claims as “baseless, misleading, and devoid of truth.” The allegations were made by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who accused INEC of defying a court order that granted them the right to inspect the election materials.
Dr. Onuoha emphasized that INEC had already scheduled Wednesday for the inspection of the election materials at its headquarters in Benin, underscoring the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The attention of INEC and my office has been drawn to certain unfounded allegations suggesting that I have refused political parties and their representatives’ access to inspect the BVAS devices and other election materials used during the recent elections,” Onuoha said. “We wish to categorically state that these allegations are baseless, misleading, and completely devoid of truth.”
He further assured that INEC, under his leadership, remains dedicated to upholding transparency and fairness in the electoral process. He added that inspection of election materials is the legal right of all political parties involved in election petitions and that the commission is fully compliant with the law in facilitating such inspections.
Onuoha emphasized that at no point did he or any INEC official deny access to any party or its representatives. He noted that INEC understands the legal consequences of such actions and supports the lawful processes that enable parties to seek redress in court.
In furtherance of its commitment to transparency, Onuoha confirmed that the inspection of the election materials, including BVAS devices, was formally scheduled for Wednesday at the INEC headquarters in Benin. He invited all political parties and their representatives to participate in the inspection, as stipulated by legal procedures, to ensure adherence to the rule of law.
The REC assured all parties that access to the election materials would be granted as long as proper procedures, as outlined by the election petition tribunal and relevant legal frameworks, are followed. He described the accusations as unfortunate and urged stakeholders and the public to disregard the misinformation.
“INEC as an institution stands for transparency, and we are fully committed to ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair, and accountable,” Onuoha added, urging any parties with concerns about the inspection process to engage with his office through the appropriate legal channels. He pledged his full cooperation in facilitating the inspection process.
The PDP and its candidate had earlier raised concerns about INEC’s alleged refusal to allow access to election materials, a claim which now appears to have been debunked by the commission’s statement.
