Edo Election: Alleged INEC Results In Etsako Polling Unit Shows APC Got 352 Votes Despite Having 213 Accredited Voters
The Edo State gubernatorial election has been marred by controversy following the revelation of a discrepancy in the voting process at the Etsako Polling Unit. A result sheet purportedly from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised eyebrows, casting doubts on the credibility of the ongoing election.
According to the document, the All Progressives Congress (APC) garnered an astonishing 352 votes, despite having only 213 accredited voters. This glaring discrepancy has fueled allegations of electoral manipulation and rigging, with many questioning the legitimacy of the APC’ s reported victory.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the polling unit had 493 registered voters, with only 213 accredited to cast their ballots. Moreover, the electoral body had allotted 500 ballot papers to the unit for the governorship poll. The stark difference between the number of accredited voters and the reported votes for the APC has sparked outrage and skepticism.
This incident has added credence to long- standing concerns about electoral malpractices in Nigeria. Many have expressed fears that the discrepancy may be indicative of a broader pattern of manipulation, undermining the very foundations of democracy.
In response to these concerns, INEC has made efforts to enhance transparency through its Result Viewing (IREV) portal. The platform allows citizens to view polling unit results in real- time, promoting accountability and credibility. As of the latest reports, INEC has successfully uploaded results from 64% of the accredited polling units, totaling 2, 902 out of 4, 519.
The people of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this critical election. They deserve to have confidence in the electoral process, knowing that their votes will count and their voices will be heard. It is now up to INEC, the electoral authorities, and political stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the election and uphold the principles of democracy.
Ultimately, the resolution of this discrepancy will serve as a litmus test for Nigeria’ s commitment to democratic values. The world is watching, and the outcome will have far- reaching implications for the country’ s political landscape.
