The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, said it has not been officially communicated by the Edo State House of Assembly over the declaration of the seats of 14 lawmakers vacant.
The Commission also stated that it cannot conduct fresh elections in the 14 constituencies until it receives a formal letter from the Speaker or Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Twelve of them were those members-elect that were yet to present themselves for inauguration, while two the two others were lawmakers that absconded after inauguration.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, told The Nation that the Commission does not rely or act based on newspaper publications.
According to him, “the Commission does not act based on newspaper reports, we rely on communication from the House. For instance, if a member dies we don’t act until we are notified, if a member does not attend plenary as required by law and his seat is declared vacant, we can’t do anything until we are officially notified.
“In this instance we can only act based on report from Edo State House of Assembly for now we are not aware, we have not been officially communicated”.