We have capacity to detect fraudulent election results in Edo – Yiaga Africa

By Jethro Ibileke

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, Yiaga Africa has said that it has the capacity to detect if results declared by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the Edo governorship election are fake.

The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, disclosed this on Thursday in Benin, while responding to questions from journalists at its pre-election press statement.

He said the organisation which has monitored elections in Nigeria and other countries in Africa, has the barometer for measuring electoral integrity, using the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology.

Itodo disclosed that Yiaga Africa will deploy a total of “325 trained and accredited observers, both stationary and roving, to monitor the Edo State Governorship election.

“This includes 300 stationary observers who will be placed at a randomly selected sample of 300 polling units across the 18 LGAs.

“INEC must also maintain consistency in applying its guidelines, particularly regarding the suspension of elections due to significant disruptions, the cancelation of votes in cases of over voting and the application of the margin of lead principle,” Itodo added.

Earlier, Yiaga Africa’s Chairperson of the 2024 Edo Election Mission, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, urged INEC “to demonstrate its capacity to conduct a transparent, credible and efficient election.”

This was even as she urged the voters to demonstrate resilience by turning up to vote in the polling units.

“Voters should also resist attempts at vote-buying, intimidation and manipulation before, during and after the election,” Abdullahi advised.