…INEC incorrectly computed and inflated 5,724 votes for APC in 48 PUs in Akoko Edo
.. Officials failed to record serial numbers of Result Sheets in 17 PUs
Indications of massive over voting in some Polling Units in Akoko-Edo Edo Local Government Area during the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state have emerged.
It was shown that the numbers of vote cast far exceeded the number of accredited voters recorded by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System(BVAS) deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
These revelations were made at the ongoing proceedings in the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024 and filed by PDP Candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo before the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi and sitting in Benin City, Edo State.
While testifying before the Tribunal, a PDP witness and LGA Collation Agent for Akoko Edo LGA disclosed that there was over-voting in 8 Polling Units(PUs) as INEC BVAS report of accreditation showed clearly that the total number of votes cast and declared by INEC in result sheets Forms EC8A are in excess of the total accreditation figures captured by BVAS in 8 Polling Units in Akoko Edo LGA.
In addition, the witness also testified that INEC collated incorrect scores in favour of APC in 48 Polling Units across Wards 4 and 9 in Akoko Edo LGA of Edo State. He stated that from a thorough examination of agent copies and INEC CTCs of Results Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D used to declare the results of the Governorship Election in the LGA, it was glaringly manifest that INEC made incorrect computation of the results in the affected polling units (PUs).
The total number of votes incorrectly computed and over stated for APC in Forms EC8D by INEC officials is 5,724 votes while a total of 2,171 votes were wrongfully deducted and understated for the PDP.
The Witness also testified in evidence that INEC failed to record in the prescribed forms, the serial numbers and other particulars of results sheets, ballot papers, BVAS machine and other sensitive materials used for the Election in 17 polling units (PUs) in Akoko Edo LGA as required by Electoral Act 2022 (As amended). The failure to comply with this mandatory requirement renders results in the affected polling units null and void.
During Cross examination by Counsel to the 2nd respondent(Okpebholo), Oyechi Ikpeazu SAN, the Witness reiterated that he was a Collation agent in the LGA and examined all the documents he mentioned in paragraphs 6, 18, 27 and 28 of his written statement on oath.
The Court consequently admitted all his documentary evidence and marked them as Exhibits Pn 1- 46 amid stiff opposition by Counsels to Respondents, Oyechi Ikpeazu and Kanu Agabi respectively.
