The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has admitted evidence of over-voting in seven polling units in Ovia South West Local Government Area (LGA), the hometown of Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, heard the testimony of a Collation Agent from Ovia South West LGA, who presented evidence of multiple over-voting in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the September 21st Governorship Election in Edo State.
According to the witness, a total of seven polling units (PUs 014, 007, 004, 006, 016, 028, and 034) in Ovia South West LGA recorded more votes than accredited voters.
The witness alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to cancel the affected polling units despite clear evidence of over-voting.
Under cross-examination, the witness revealed that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents observed the over-voting and raised a protest, but INEC presiding officers ignored them. The witness relied on various documents, including BVAS accreditation reports and INEC CTCs of BVAS extracts, to support his claim.
Counsels to INEC and the second respondent, Okpebholo, had initially objected to the admission of the witness’s statement on oath, but the court ultimately admitted it.
More PDP witnesses are expected to testify as the hearing continues.
The Edo State gubernatorial election was held on September 21, 2024. The electoral body, INEC declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, while PDP’s Asue Ighodalo received 247,274 votes.