INEC Fails to Begin Collation at Scheduled Time, Edo Voters Left Waiting

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to begin the collation of results for the Edo State governorship election, despite earlier assurances that the process would commence at 10 AM today.

The INEC headquarters in Benin City, Edo State’s capital, serves as the primary collation center for the election. Tensions have been rising in the state as voters and political stakeholders anxiously await the formal announcement of results from Saturday’s election.

Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), had previously announced that collation would begin at 10 AM on Sunday, September 22, 2024. In a statement, he said, “This is to inform the general public, political stakeholders, and observers that the collation of results for the ongoing Edo State governorship election will resume today at 10:00 AM.”

However, as of 10:37 AM, the collation process had not started, leaving many in suspense. The delay follows reports of Governor Godwin Obaseki arriving at the INEC office amid the prolonged wait.

Despite the holdup in collation, INEC has made significant progress in uploading election results on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). As of the latest update, 4,439 out of the total 4,519 polling unit results—approximately 96%—have been uploaded to the portal.

Further updates are expected as the situation develops.