By Daniel Peters .
More than 2.2 million, registered voters in Edo State, are going to the polls on Saturday to elect their next governor.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reports that 2,249,780 individuals, accounting for 85.57 percent of the 2,629,025 total registered voters, have collected their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for the Guber poll.
Meanwhile, 379,245 PVCs remain uncollected. In comparison, during the last governorship election in 2020, only 557,443 of the 2.2 million registered voters showed up for accreditation, and 550,242 ultimately cast their ballots.
As election day unfolds, tensions run high across the state, fueled by a charged atmosphere of political rhetoric and sporadic reports of violence. Law enforcement agencies are taking no chances. The Nigeria Police has deployed 35,000 officers, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) sent an additional 6,433 personnel to ensure security. The military, also mandated by the presidency to guarantee a free and fair election, stands ready to intervene if necessary.
This mirrors the security measures taken during the 2020 election, with authorities pledging to act impartially and swiftly against any attempts to compromise the election’s credibility. Despite these assurances, apprehension continues to grip many parts of the state.
In preparation for the election, INEC began distributing sensitive materials on Thursday, including 5,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) to facilitate a seamless voting process across the state’s 4,519 polling units and 211 collation centers. These include 192 wards, 18 local government collation centers, and the state collation center in Benin City, the state capital.
Additionally, INEC has deployed 18,076 ad-hoc staff to oversee the conduct of the election, ensuring that the process runs efficiently across all designated voting areas.
With all these preparations made, the race for the governorship is in full swing, as candidates from the major political parties vie for victory.
Asue Ighodalo, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, are all aiming to secure the majority of votes in what promises to be a closely contested election.
The eventual winner is expected to take over from Godwin Obaseki, on November 11, having completed his two terms in office.
Meanwhile,the News Agency of Nigeria,NAN correspondent in Benin reports of heavy security presence in Benin and other local government areas of the state to ensure law and order during and after the polls.
According to the Agency,Security personnel were seen mounting roadblocks on roads in Benin as early as 6:00 a.m., ahead of the Edo governorship election, which is set to begin at 8:00 a.m.
NAN reports that security personnel in the wee hours of the day began stopping and searching vehicles at the roadblocks, as well asking the occupants questions in order to ensure security, law, and order during the election.
Some commercial bus drivers who wanted to make quick business, however, managed to avoid the roadblocks to evade questioning by security officials.
The popular Ring Road had a notable presence of military personnel, particularly at the Sapele Road, Forestry Junction, and Sapele Road axes, with an armoured tank stationed at the city centre.
There was also a heavy presence of security personnel at Okida Road, Ekewaun Road and at the INEC office at Ikpoba Hill.
NAN also observed roadblocks at the Agbado Market area and the Ring Road section of Akpakpava and Sapele Roads.
There were a few vehicular movements, with a few people, likely voters, seen walking along the roads.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
