Concerns have been raised due to the absence of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the polling unit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.
Currently, no INEC officials were present at the polling unit, located in Idinrio, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area.
The usually busy community appeared unusually calm and quiet, with no signs of the usual electoral activities. Many residents, eager to cast their votes, expressed their worries about the delay.
One resident stated, “By this time, we expected to see the INEC officials setting up the polling unit. This situation is very unusual and concerning.”
There has been no sign of INEC officials or representatives from any political party since early morning.
POLITICS NIGERIA learnt that frustration is growing among the voters who had arrived early, hoping to cast their votes.
Many of them voiced their dissatisfaction, with one potential voter saying, “We came out early to perform our civic duty, but there are no officials here. It’s discouraging, and we don’t know how long we will have to wait.”
Today’s Edo governorship election has the PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, and Labour Party (LP) candidate Olumide Akpata seen as the leading contenders.
The state has a total of 2,629,025 registered voters, with Edo South accounting for the largest share at 1,526,699, followed by Edo North with 673,794, and Edo Central with 440,514. 17 candidates are vying for the governorship position.
