By Ngozi Nwankwo
Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership has submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for vital data related to the recently concluded Edo State gubernatorial election, held on September 21, 2024.
The Centre, in its FOI request, is seeking specific accreditation data from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and official collation forms, including EC8Bs, EC8Cs, and EC8Ds, from polling units, wards, and Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the state.
In a statement, the Athena Centre assured Nigerians that it would not express any opinions or conclusions regarding the Edo election until a thorough review of the requested data is completed. The Centre emphasised that its process is “meticulous and based on evidence,” adding that the post-election audit will “enlighten Nigerians and proffer legislative and administrative recommendations to enhance and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.”
The statement further urged citizens to remain calm and patient as the Centre embarks on its detailed review of the election, assuring that “if there are any irregularities or infractions, our review will uncover them.”
The Athena Centre’s mission is centred on ensuring that transparency and accountability are vital components of Nigeria’s electoral process. “As a think tank dedicated to using evidence to guide policy and improve governance, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting credible elections and enhancing democratic processes through evidence-based analysis,” the Centre added.