Edo Poll: PDP Concludes Case As INEC Tenders Additional BVAS At Tribunal 

 

From Victor Osula, Abuja

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission has tendered before the Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja, additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines used in the September 21 gubernitorial election in Edo State.

The presentation of the BVAS machines were sequel to a subpoena by the tribunal made on January 9, 2025, directing INEC, which is the 1st respondent in the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the Edo governorship election, Asue Ighodalo.

One of the grounds upon which the petitioners were challenging the declaration of the candidate of All Progressives Congress, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as governor was alleged over voting, which the BVAS machine was expected to address.

The Commission had earlier tendered 148 BVAS before the tribunal.

The additional BVAS were tendered Monday following earlier submission by petitioners’ lawyer, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, that INEC had pre-informed him that the devices were more than the number submitted to the court; a claim corroborated by INEC lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, who explained that while 151 machines were brought, only 148 applied to the 133 polling units.

The additional BVAS were tendered amidst protests by the legal team of the All Progressives Congress who vehemently objected to the submission of the devices.

Despite the efforts, the three-member panel of the tribunal led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, overruled the objections and accepted the BVAS machines tendered by an official of INEC.

Following the development, the PDP counsel formally concluded their case, expressing confidence that the newly submitted evidence would validate allegations of over-voting during the election.

The APC pleaded for additional time to scrutinise the new evidence and prepare its defence.

The tribunal. adjourned to Wednesday, February 5, for continuation of hearing.

 

 

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