Flood Prompts APC to Call for Cancellation of INEC’s Voter Registration in Edo

 

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, set to begin on Monday, May 27, 2024. Acting State Chairman of the APC, Jarret Tenebe, issued a statement on Sunday in Benin City, highlighting the necessity of this call following the destruction caused by flooding at INEC's state headquarters.

 

Flooding has severely damaged the voter enrollment machines and other equipment, including vehicles and office furniture, at INEC’s office in Benin City. The APC claims this destruction compromises the integrity of the registration process.

 

Tenebe emphasized that the APC had previously raised concerns about potential collusion between INEC officials and the outgoing Edo State government to manipulate the voter registration process in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The recent flood damage, he argued, exacerbates these concerns.

 

"We have credible intelligence indicating that certain INEC officials are working with the outgoing Edo State government to manipulate the voter registration process for the PDP’s benefit," Tenebe said. He criticized INEC’s decision to proceed with the registration exercise despite the significant damage and rejected the plan to relocate to the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area office as a temporary headquarters.

 

The APC also condemned INEC's plan to bring in additional machines from neighboring states, claiming it could lead to pre-filled data in the voter registration process. Tenebe highlighted concerns about the integrity of the machines, especially given the involvement of a director from INEC’s Bayelsa ICT office, who is related to a PDP chieftain in Edo State.

 

In light of these issues, Tenebe called for the immediate cancellation of the CVR exercise, stressing the importance of restoring INEC’s full operational functionality before resuming any electoral activities. "Proceeding with the CVR exercise under current conditions would jeopardize the integrity of the voter registration process and undermine public trust in the electoral system," he stated.

 

The APC's demand comes amid a backdrop of political tension, as both the APC and the PDP in Edo State have exchanged accusations over alleged plans to manipulate the voter registration exercise. 

This situation underscores the need for transparent and fair electoral processes to maintain public confidence and ensure the integrity of elections in Edo State.