INEC Indicted in Alleged Fraud: Forensic Experts Uncover Major Discrepancies in Edo Governorship Election
By Wisdom Tide
November 3, 2024
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces serious allegations of electoral misconduct in the 2024 Edo State governorship election. According to Martins Obono, Executive Director of the TAP Initiative, INEC not only enabled, but actively engaged in the manipulation of election results. Obono shared these revelations on Arise Television's The Morning Show, presenting what he described as “damning, incontrovertible evidence” of INEC’s role in the alleged conspiracy.
Discrepancies Between Certified Documents and iREV Portal Results
Obono highlighted substantial discrepancies between certified true copies (CTCs) of polling unit results provided by INEC and the same documents uploaded to INEC’s iREV results portal. Displaying stacks of documents, he stated, “When we compared the CTCs from INEC with iREV’s records, we uncovered something staggering.” He described how identical serial numbers appeared on both sets of results, yet with significant differences: the iREV documents were signed by party agents, while the CTCs remained unsigned.
Forensic Analysis of Documents Points to Forgery
To substantiate these claims, the TAP Initiative enlisted the expertise of a prominent forensic handwriting analyst with credentials including work for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The forensic expert’s analysis suggested that several CTCs were completed by a single individual. “One person sat down and forged these results. We were stunned,” Obono revealed. He emphasized that such actions by a critical electoral institution could severely undermine public trust in democracy, posing the question: “If INEC can betray that trust, what does it mean for our future?”
Institutionalized Rigging: A New Level of Electoral Manipulation
Describing the allegations as more than mere electoral fraud, Obono asserted that this situation represents institutionalized rigging. He expressed disappointment that the entity entrusted with safeguarding Nigeria's democratic process appeared to be undermining it. “For years, we suspected rogue actors within political parties. But this time, it’s the very institution entrusted to protect our democracy that is subverting it,” he said. Obono stressed the need for citizens to trust the electoral system, warning that such breaches threaten the foundation of democracy itself.
Call for a Comprehensive Investigation by ICPC
Obono urged the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to launch a thorough investigation into INEC’s alleged actions, cautioning that without accountability, this incident could set a dangerous precedent. “This cannot stand. If INEC’s actions go unpunished, it will form the playbook for all future elections. We fought too hard for this democracy to allow it to be dismantled by those who should protect it,” he declared.
Allegations of Over-Voting, Result Manipulation, and Systematic Forgery
Further accusations by Obono included claims of widespread over-voting, manipulation of election results, and systematic forgery of CTC result sheets. He remarked, “We’ve been monitoring elections since 2003. This is the first time we’ve seen the electoral umpire itself as the main perpetrator.” Emphasizing TAP Initiative’s commitment to justice, Obono asserted, “Nigeria’s democracy depends on the integrity of its institutions, and if INEC has abandoned that, we must hold them accountable.”
Conclusion: Upholding the Integrity of Democracy
In his closing remarks, Obono highlighted the TAP Initiative’s determination to pursue accountability. “We will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of justice,” he affirmed, underscoring that the survival of Nigeria’s democratic future rests on the integrity of its institutions
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