Edo guber: Tribunal admits evidence of multiple overvoting in Ovia South-West
Justice
Hearings at the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal continued today, 22nd January 2025, with a Collation Agent from Ovia South West LGA giving evidence of how multiple overvoting occurred in favour of APC in 7 Polling Units in Ovia South West LGA during the September 21st Governorship Election in Edo State.
It may be recalled that the running mate to APC Governorship Candidate and now Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa hails from Ovia South West LGA.
Giving his testimony at the resumed hearing of the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, a PDP witness and LGA Collation Agent for the election established in evidence how the total number of votes cast exceeded the total number of accredited voters in PUs 014, 007, 004, 006, 016, 028 and 034 in Ovia South West LGA.
The witness averred in his written statement on oath that INEC failed to cancel the affected polling units despite glaring evidence of multiple over-voting that occurred. Under cross-examination, the witness revealed that PDP agents observed the overvoting that took place in favour of APC in the affected polling units and raised a protest but the INEC presiding officers ignored them.
He relied on the BVAS accreditation report, CTC of Result sheets Form EC8A-C, CTC of IREV and INEC CTCs of BVAS extracts to prove his claim of multiple overvoting in the affected polling units.
Counsels to the 1st Respondent (INEC), Kanu Agabi (SAN) and 2nd Respondent (Okpebholo), Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) had earlier raised some objections to the admission of his statement on oath but the Court admitted it.
The hearing continues with the examination of more PDP witnesses.
