Edo Electoral Commission Finalizes Preparations for Saturday’s Local Govt Polls

The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has confirmed it is fully prepared for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for this Saturday, having successfully recruited and trained 10,000 ad hoc staff to manage the voting process.

During a press briefing held in Benin on Thursday, the Chairman of EDSIEC, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, emphasized that the commission has implemented rigorous measures to ensure the election is free, fair, and transparent. He expressed confidence in the professionalism and competence of the personnel deployed to oversee the exercise.

According to Aifuobhokhan, all sensitive and non-sensitive election materials have been inspected, sorted, and distributed to local government offices to ensure they reach every ward and polling unit on time. The commission has also finalized specific logistical arrangements to ensure that riverine and difficult-to-access communities receive materials, preventing the disenfranchisement of voters in remote areas.

Polls are set to open for accreditation and voting at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 2:30 p.m. The commission clarified that results will be collated and transmitted manually. The EDSIEC Chairman reassured the public that the commission has fulfilled its constitutional mandates regarding security, communication, and operational planning, stating that the commission is fully prepared to conduct elections that reflect the genuine will of the people.

In addition to the ad hoc staff, security efforts for the exercise are underway, with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) previously announcing the deployment of 1,300 personnel to maintain order during the poll.