The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will resume the collation of results for the Edo State governorship election at 10 AM on Sunday.

The collation process commenced at 9 PM on Saturday, September 21, shortly after the conclusion of voting across local government areas (LGAs).

Anugbum Onuoha, the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), confirmed in a statement that the collation is being conducted in a transparent manner, which is in line with INEC guidelines.

“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of all parties as we work to deliver a credible and accurate outcome for this crucial election,” Onuoha stated.

Onuoha urged stakeholders to remain peaceful and orderly as the process draws to a close. Meanwhile, security personnel have instructed journalists and election observers to vacate the collation centre.

Tensions have been rising in the state following the publication of some polling unit results on INEC’s viewing portal, IReV.

The INEC headquarters in Benin City, the state capital, is serving as the main collation centre for the election. Governor Godwin Obaseki was asked to leave the INEC premises early Sunday morning and was escorted out by mobile police officers.

As of 6:32 AM on Sunday, 4,443 out of 4,519 polling unit results had been uploaded on IReV.