Edo By-Elections: CSOs Sends Fresh Warning Against Manipulation, Militarisation of Process
- The Coalition of Observer Groups (COG) warned that Edo’s August 16 by-elections could face manipulation, recalling distrust from the 2024 governorship polls
- Concerns were raised over potential militarisation, with police possibly restricting opposition agents’ access to collation centres
- COG urged the governor to ensure peaceful polls and called on INEC to protect electoral integrity and prevent manipulation or intimidation
As Edo State prepares for the August 16, 2025 by-elections for Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency, the Coalition of Observer Groups in Nigeria (COG) has issued a stern warning over reports that could undermine the credibility of the polls.
Edo: Lingering distrust from 2024 elections
Source: UGC
Simon Diogu, representing the coalition, recalled the September 2024 governorship election in Edo, which left a lingering crisis of confidence due to allegations of irregularities, including the use of duplicate result sheets and questionable collation practices.
“We have received worrying indications that similar tactics may be deployed in the upcoming by-elections, with fears that results could be predetermined through unlawful preparation of duplicate result sheets before collation begins,” Diogu said.
CSOs expresses concerns over militarisation of polling
The coalition expressed alarm at reports that security agencies, particularly the police, could be deployed in ways that restrict lawful access of opposition party agents to collation centres.
“Any militarisation of the electoral environment would be a direct violation of the Electoral Act and an assault on voters’ right to a transparent process,” Diogu warned.
Call for governor’s intervention
Noting that Edo Central Senatorial District is the home constituency of the sitting governor, the coalition urged him to condemn reported threats by his supporters against opposition parties.
“As Chief Security Officer of the state, the governor must commit to ensuring that the elections are peaceful, violence-free, and conducted strictly according to the law,” the statement added.
INEC urged to safeguard integrity
The coalition stressed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has both a legal and moral responsibility to prevent manipulation or intimidation.
“INEC must take urgent, visible steps to guarantee that collation is open, verifiable, and protected from interference. The August 16 by-elections are a test of the commission’s commitment to electoral integrity,” Diogu said.
The coalition concluded by noting that Nigerians and the international community will be closely monitoring the by-elections, emphasising that public trust in democracy is fragile and difficult to rebuild once broken.
Source: Legit.ng
