The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has asked the LP Chairmanship Candidate for Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, through his legal counsel, to pay the sum of N94,381,340 for Certified True Copies CTC of election materials used for the conduct of the chairmanship election in the Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
In a press release dated September 21st, signed by Mr Sunday Osayande, the commission’s administrative secretary, and addressed to Akhigbe Oserogho, Esq., the Edo State Electoral Umpire stated that any aspirant who wants to access the ballot papers used during the elections will pay N500 for one ballot and the sum of N30 to photocopy forms C, D, D2, and E.
Continuing further, the statement reads, “To this end, you are to pay the sum of N 94,381,340.00 (Ninety-four million, three hundred and eighty-one thousand, three hundred and forty naira) only to the accounting department of the commission for the photocopying and certification of the different result sheets used in the election as requested by you”.
On September 2, 2023, it can be recalled that elections were held in the 18 local government areas of Edo State for the local government chairmanship positions. However, many voters and opposition candidates have disputed the results of the elections. This has also escalated into protests within local government areas that felt the elections were flawed.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts by Parallel Facts to contact the Administrative Secretary of EDSIEC to inquire about the insane request by the commission for certified true copies of electoral materials proved abortive as his official telephone lines were not reachable.