From Moshood Karim
The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has declared its readiness to conduct a credible, free and fair bye-election on Saturday, September 20, to fill vacant councillorship seats across 15 local government areas of the State.
Speaking in Benin City on Thursday, the Commissioner in charge of Training and ICT, Dr. Suleiman Ikhuoriah, assured that the electoral body had concluded major logistics, security and training preparations to guarantee a transparent poll.
“We have all our materials in the commission’s headquarters. The non-sensitive materials have been sorted into 63 wards and further broken down into units, covering over 1,900 polling units,” Ikhuoriah told journalists. “Our staff are working round the clock to ensure everything is in place for a successful, credible and transparent election.”
He disclosed that security agencies had been fully briefed and deployed to guarantee safety at polling centres. “We’ve met with the DSS, the police, the Civil Defence Corps, and even the Strike Force of Zone 5. A minimum of two security personnel will be stationed at each polling unit. The environment will be safe for voters to come out and cast their ballots,” he said.
According to him, over 3,000 ad hoc and permanent staff have been trained and deployed, with ward returning officers, supervising presiding officers and election officers fully briefed on their duties. Elections will hold in all but three LGAs — Ovia South-West in Edo South, Etsako West and Etsako Central in Edo North.
Ikhuoriah also noted that the commission was working in synergy with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain the voters’ register. “We have a very cordial relationship with INEC. They have provided the register, which is a key instrument for this election,” he said.
On the possibility of a movement restriction, Ikhuoriah stressed that the decision lies with the State government, saying: “Our duty is to conduct elections. If the government decides to restrict movement for security reasons, that is their prerogative.”
Meanwhile, political parties in the State are taking different positions ahead of the polls. The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its readiness. APC publicity secretary, Barrister Uwadiae Igbinigie, said the party had followed due process in its preparations and was confident of participating fully in the exercise.
However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pulled out, insisting it was never officially notified by EDSIEC about the bye-election. State chairman, Kennedy Odion, said: “We are not aware of the election. No notification, no guidelines, no stakeholder engagement was served to us. As far as ADC is concerned, we are not participating.”
The bye-election will cover 1,957 polling units across 15 LGAs, with voting scheduled to commence at 8 a.m.
Get a premium automobile insurance coverage for your vehicle for as low as #15000 only and claim up to #3,000,000 in damages @Zenith Insurance To signup: WhatsApp/Call: +2349028313757
