Edo Election: INEC Under Fire for Delayed Uploads on IREV Portal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing intense scrutiny following the discovery of glaring discrepancies in its recent uploads of election results to the IREV (Independent Result Viewing) portal.

Results that should have been uploaded promptly after being announced at polling units are now appearing with suspicious timestamps, with some dated as far back as September 23rd, 24th, and 25th, days after INEC had already declared a winner.

The latest uploads show dates from October 9th, raising serious concerns about the credibility and professionalism of the commission in managing the electoral process.

Election observers say the delays and discrepancies in the recent uploads by INEC are not just procedural lapses, but a fundamental breach of trust in the electoral process.

“These issues cast doubt on the integrity of the system and are seen as contributing to growing public frustration and disillusionment with the commission’s operations.

“Even a toddler knows that election results should be uploaded in real-time, not days or weeks later.

“Such glaring inconsistencies are not only damaging to INEC’s already fragile reputation but also expose the incompetence within the system.”a political observer noted.

The situation has been further complicated by recent accusations from Jaret Tenebe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) state chairman, who claimed that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had somehow obtained a BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) machine from the Edo State Government House.

The allegation has been widely ridiculed, with critics ridiculing Tenebe’s lack of understanding of how the electoral process works.

Responding to the claims, a PDP insider explained: “Does Tenebe not know that anyone can possess a BVAS machine, but without proper configuration from INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, it is essentially useless?

“The machine is worthless without the technical setup from INEC. To suggest otherwise is just absurd.”

The PDP has dismissed Tenebe’s accusations as part of the APC’s strategy to distract the public from the real issues at hand, particularly the delayed uploads of election results.

“From top to bottom, the APC leadership’s approach to the electoral process has been characterized by ignorance and a lack of basic understanding.

“Their incompetence is on full display, and it is clear that they are merely stalling for time to frustrate the opposition’s efforts to uncover the truth,” the source added.

As the PDP prepares to take the matter to court, the party has warned that any result not uploaded to the IREV portal by September 21st will not be admissible as evidence.

“The APC’s petty games are futile. A court order has already been issued, and we will obtain every sensitive document and machine necessary to reveal the truth.

“The mandate of Asue Ighodalo will be restored, and no amount of delay or manipulation can suppress the will of the people,” a PDP spokesperson declared.