Allegations of BVAS smuggling in Edo baseless, unsubstantiated — INEC

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, has said that the commission has investigated and found out that the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state regarding the alleged snuggling of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and voters’ registers into the INEC office by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is baseless, unsubstantiated, and without merit.

It would be recalled that the APC Chairman in Edo State, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, had on Wednesday, while addressing journalists in Benin, accused the PDP of snuggling BIVAS machines and voters’ registers into the state’s INEC head office complex at Aduwawa in Benin.

Consequent to his allegations, Tenebe on Thursday formally submitted a petition to the electoral umpire, demanding, amongst others, a thorough investigation of the petition against the outgoing ruling PDP in the state.

The development later led to the adjournment sine die of the inspection of election materials used during the September 21, 2024 governorship poll in Edo, earlier rescheduled for Thursday as the petitioners (APC and Tenebe) insisted that the petition should be determined before the inspection.

However, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo, on Friday, in a statement titled “Response to the Petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State Alleging Smuggling of BVAS Machines and Voters’ Registers into INEC Office Edo State,”  said INEC, as an institution charged with the responsibility of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, would not tolerate any form of malpractice or manipulation, hence its investigation of the petition.

He said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo State, has concluded its thorough investigation into the allegations made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the purported smuggling of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and voters’ registers
into the INEC office by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Following a comprehensive review of the allegations, it has been determined that the allegations are baseless, unsubstantiated, and entirely without merit.

“INEC maintains a steadfast commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process, and at no time were the BVAS machines or voters’ registers compromised or unlawfully accessed by any political party or external entity.

“We fully understand the gravity of such claims, which is why the investigation was conducted with the utmost rigour and impartiality.”

Continuing, the REC said, “As an institution charged with the sacred responsibility of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, INEC will not tolerate any form of malpractice or manipulation, and the integrity of all electoral materials remains fully intact.

“In light of these findings, we are in full compliance with the recent court order directing the inspection of electoral materials, including the BVAS machines and voters’ registers.

INEC is prepared to facilitate this inspection process, ensuring transparency and adherence to the rule of law. We urge all parties to cooperate fully during this process.”

Onuoha added: “We appeal to all political actors to focus on the democratic principles that bind us and avoid actions or rhetoric that may undermine public confidence in our electoral system.

“INEC’s commitment to neutrality and excellence in electoral administration remains unwavering, and we will continue to work towards the preservation of democracy and the rule of law in Edo State and Nigeria at large.”

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