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Accreditation and voting have commenced in some polling units in the ongoing Edo State Governorship Election. TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports voting commenced as early as 8:30 am at the polling units monitored.
However, it was observed that election materials are yet to leave some Registration Area Centres (RACs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It, therefore, means the materials will arrive the polling units late and voting will commence late in those polling units. At most polling units observed, there are voters and security personnels on ground but no INEC officials were seen yet.
At the time of filing this report, accreditation and voting have commenced in Etsako West and Oredo local government areas of the State. Accreditation and voting commenced at 8:30 am at Polling Unit 002, Registration Area 2, Iguobazuwa, in Ovia South East local government area.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall was reported in Esan West. At polling units where there is delay, electorates have arrived and queued up in their numbers awaiting the INEC officials.
A total of 2,249,780 (two million, two hundred and forty nine thousand, seven hundred and eighty) registered voters will participate in the governorship election. The 2,249,780 figure are those who picked up their PVCs and represents 85.57% of the 2,629,025 total registered voters in the State. There are 4,519 Polling Units in the State. Voting will take place in each unit.
Edo: Heavy downpour delay arrival of INEC officials in Okaegben
Officials of INEC and election materials have yet to arrive at Idrion Vocational Centre, a voting centre at Okaegben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo.
Dr Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Edo governorship election, is expected to vote at Okaegben ward one, polling unit 3, located at a vocational centre in Ewohimi, Edo Central Senatorial District.
A correspondent, who visited the centre at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, observed that eligible voters gathered in clusters waiting for the arrival of INEC officials and materials. Security personnel have also arrived waiting for INEC officials amid heavy downpour.
As at the time of filing this report, the rain, which started at 6:30 a.m., has not abated.
Edo Decides: Police arrest thugs, recover firearms
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says its operatives have made a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb electoral violence in Edo State with the arrest of two political thugs. The police gave the names of the thugs as Edwin Obanor, 43-year-old and Audu Tajudeen, a 41-year-old.
“Acting on a tip-off that some individuals had been armed to cause mayhem and distability during the election on Saturday, the police operatives swooped into action and apprehended Obanor, a leader of an armed group, at Oredo Ward 4 at about 9pm and Audu Tajudeen at Igara Akoko, Edo, on the eve of the election.
“Upon searching the bags in their possession, three cut-to-size locally fabricated pistols were discovered on Obanor, while one locally made gun was recovered from Tajudeen. These arrests are a testament to the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring a peaceful electoral process. The police and other supporting security agencies will not tolerate any form of violence or disorderliness during the election in Edo State.
“The suspects are currently in custody and will face the full weight of the law. The Police reassures the public of its dedication to protecting lives and property and, therefore, urges citizens to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via our published help lines,” the police stated.
Details shortly…