Despite the low turnout of voters and the late arrival of electoral officers and materials across several polling units in the 18 local government areas of the state, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has described the ongoing local government election as peaceful and encouraging.
DAILY POST gathered that there were widespread reports of low voter turnout as well as the late arrival of electoral officers and election materials across the 18 LGAs and 192 wards in the state.
The local government election is conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC.
Speaking after casting his vote at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area, the governor said the voting process had been peaceful and orderly.
He said voting commenced early in his polling unit, with electoral officials and security personnel on the ground.
Okpebholo, who arrived at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m., commended voters for their orderly conduct, adding that reports reaching him from other parts of the state indicated that the election was progressing peacefully.
“The election is very peaceful and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field.
“The turnout is very high. This is a demonstration of grassroots democracy. It shows that our people are interested in choosing those who will administer the affairs of their local governments. By the grace of God, a winner will emerge at the end of today’s election,” he said.
He, however, urged residents to continue to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the voting process and await the official declaration of the results by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC.
Also speaking, Hon. Blessing Ebhodaghe, the All Progressives Congress, APC, chairmanship candidate for Esan West Local Government Area, commended voters for coming out to cast their ballots.
Ebhodaghe, the current acting chairman of the council, expressed optimism about the exercise but noted that turnout during a general election would be higher than what was recorded in the local government election.
He, however, said many eligible voters were disenfranchised following the recently concluded voter registration and Permanent Voter Card, PVC, collection exercise.
