INEC gives update on Edo election results

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it has not yet received the official results of the Edo State governorship election from any of the 18 local government areas (LGAs).

Speaking to Channels Television on Saturday, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, clarified that the results are still being collated at the ward level and will proceed to the local government level before reaching the state collation center.

“I cannot categorically tell you when we will announce the results in the state. As they come, we will announce,” Onuoha said.

“So far, no results yet” from any local government, he added.

Onuoha also addressed individuals posting unofficial results on social media, warning that only INEC is authorized to declare results.

“I want to correct one thing: those who are publishing results, it is not their duty to announce results. INEC has not announced results. I am not even the returning officer for the state. The returning officer will announce the results. But I am surprised with what I see on social media. That is not the correct position of the commission. Nobody has the capacity to do that. The law is clear on who can announce the results. So, they should desist,” he said.

At the same time, INEC has uploaded over 90% of the result sheets from polling units on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). As of 7:40 pm on Saturday, 3,995 out of 4,519 polling unit results had been uploaded to the portal.

The people of Edo State cast their votes on Saturday, September 21, 2024, to elect a new governor, as the tenure of the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki, will conclude on November 12, 2024. Edo is one of eight states where governorship elections are held off-cycle due to past legal rulings. The other states are Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Ondo.

INEC revealed that there are 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo State, with 4,519 polling units. Of the registered voters, 2,249,780 (85.57%) hold Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and are eligible to select Obaseki’s successor.

Although 17 candidates are running for the governorship, experts have described the race as primarily between three contenders: Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

In terms of party strength, the APC currently holds two of the state’s senatorial seats with Adams Oshiomhole representing Edo North and Monday Okpebholo representing Edo Central. Meanwhile, Labour Party’s Senator Neda Imasuen represents Edo South, where Akpata originates.