BENIN CITY- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo State has presented certificate of Return to 23 elected members of the Edo State House of Assembly in the April 11, 2015 general elections.
At the short ceremony held at the commission Headquarters in Benin City, supporters of the elected members in their hundreds were stopped from entering the main premises as officials of INEC requested only two persons to accompany their members-elect to the venue of the ceremony.
However, the member-elect representing Egor Constituency, Hon. Crosby Eribo was absent, as no reason was advanced for his not being present.
Presenting the certificates, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edo State, Barrister Mike Igini said the exercise was inline with relevant section of the Electoral Act.
Barrister Igini, who expressed hope and optimism over the survival and unity of the country despite all the apocalyptic projections, stated that democracy is the only form of government that meets the basic requirements of participatory socio-economic and political organizations.
He however, noted that the ills associated with democracy can be eradicated with periodic elections adding that those who wish to interrogate the outcome of the process through legal suit should not be seen as enemies, but compatriots whose actions may help strengthen the process for the future.
The electoral umpire also chronicled the flaws of the 2007 general election with 33 petitions; 17 in 2011 and just 10 at the moment as an improvement on the process, which he said could be corrected in subsequent elections in the state.
Highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of Certificates of Returns to the elected members who were present.
The members-elect for Orhionmwon East Constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly Hon. Nosayaba Okunbor and his Orhionmwon South Counterpart, Hon. Roland Asoro were among those who were issued certificates of return by the Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC).
Mr. Noyaba Okunbor and Roland Asoro, shortly after being certified by INEC, thanked his constituents for giving them the opportunity to serve. They assured the people of their constituencies of purposeful representation and stressed their determination to deliver on their pre-election promises.
The members-elect to represent Orhionmwon East and South promised to improve the quality of life in their respective constituencies.
