Civil Society Organisations on Sunday in Benin raised concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation for the Edo governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

A joint statement by six civil society groups urged the security agencies to allow the media and observers full access to collation centres for transparency.

“We, the undersigned accredited civil society organisations, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation for the 2024 Edo governorship election by INEC,” said the groups.

The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa jointly signed the statement.

“Reports of disruptions at collation centres, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results against electoral provisions, have raised credibility concerns about the process,” said the CSOs.

The, however, commended INEC for acknowledging the reports of result mutilation, urging the electoral body to investigate violations.

“We urge INEC to invoke section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review declarations where results were not voluntarily declared or violated electoral provisions.

“Security agencies must ensure non-interference in the collation process, allowing party agents, the media, and observers full access to maintain transparency and uphold electoral integrity,” the statement said.

(NAN)