Transparency for Electoral Systems Advocacy (TEGA) has raised serious allegations against officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State, accusing them of selling uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to politicians. In a petition addressed to INEC’s National Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, TEGA claimed that electoral officers in various local government areas, including Esan Central, Ikpoba Okha, Oredo, and Egor, are involved in these illegal activities.
TEGA’s Coordinator, Philip Edosa-Amadasun, highlighted in the petition that these actions could compromise the integrity of upcoming elections. The group expressed concern that these alleged transactions, particularly with leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have resulted in the public being denied access to their PVCs. This situation is reportedly creating tension, as supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party struggle to obtain their PVCs.
The petition further detailed an incident involving a senior INEC officer in Esan Central, who was allegedly seen at the residence of a former PDP senator. TEGA believes that such alliances between INEC officials and the ruling PDP could lead to election rigging, as it appears that PVCs are being distributed selectively.
TEGA urged the INEC Chairman to take direct control of the PVC distribution process, citing the apparent failure of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner to manage the situation effectively. The group’s call to action reflects growing concerns over the integrity of the electoral process in Edo State.
