As the Edo State governorship election approaches, political tensions are rising. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun deploying over 5,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) and other sensitive materials to ensure a smooth voting process.
On Wednesday, sensitive materials such as ballot papers and result sheets arrived in Edo via Benin Airport and were securely transported to storage facilities. INEC is determined to conduct a transparent and efficient election in the state’s 4,519 polling units and 211 collation centers.
While INEC gears up for the election, the APC and Labour Party have criticized the PDP, questioning Governor Godwin Obaseki’s N1 billion grant to market women just days before the polls. This has sparked controversy, with opposition parties accusing the PDP of using state resources to influence the election.
The APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, and the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo are the top contenders in the race. Campaigns from all 17 participating political parties are set to end today, leading to what is expected to be a highly competitive election.
INEC is also deploying 18,000 ad-hoc staff, ensuring that the election is well-supported and that voter accreditation proceeds smoothly. With heightened security and increased resources, all eyes are on Edo State as election day nears.
