ICPC to Investigate INEC Officials for Alleged Infractions in Edo Governorship Election

• Election observers accuse INEC officials of misconduct in Edo governorship election, including printing duplicate result sheets
• ICPC confirms receipt of petition against INEC officials, plans to investigate allegations if found substantive

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced plans to investigate petitions filed against officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged misconduct during the recent Edo State governorship election.

Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the September 21, 2024 election winner. However, some election observers, mainly lawyers from the Tap Initiative, have accused INEC officials of irregularities, including allegedly printing duplicate result sheets (EC8A). They submitted these allegations in a petition to the ICPC headquarters.

Martin Obono, Executive Director of Tap Initiative, emphasized the need for international organizations such as USAID, the EU, and the UK to be aware of INEC’s conduct.

However, the ICPC spokesman told Daily Trust yesterday that “When we are doing something about a petition, we won’t make it public.

“You can be sure that the petition was received and acknowledged. Definitely, if it has substance, we will do something about it.

“But it is not our tradition to tell anybody about our actions. We received the petition and it was acknowledged. Be sure that something will be done.”