The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned social media users against circulating unverified results of the Edo State Governorship Election, falsely attributed to the commission.
According to Channels TV, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, issued this warning on Saturday.
Mr Onuoha clarified that the commission has not yet received any official results from any of the 18 local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
He further explained that the election results are currently at the ward level and must be transmitted to the respective LGAs before proceeding to the state collation centre for final compilation.
Channel TV quoted the REC saying, “I cannot categorically tell you when we will announce the results in the state. As they come, we will announce. For now, no results yet” from any of the local government, he said.
“I want to correct one thing: those who are publishing results, it is not their duty to announce results. INEC has not announced the results. I am not even the returning officer for the state. The returning officer will announce the results. But I am surprised with what I see on social media.
“That is not the correct position of the commission. Nobody can do that. The law is clear on who can announce the results. So, they should desist.”
Additionally, the TV station reported that the electoral commission has uploaded over 90 percent of the polling unit result sheets from Saturday’s governorship election onto its Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Channels TV said as of 7:40 PM on Saturday, the results from 3,995 out of 4,519 polling units had been uploaded.
