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From Tony Osauzo and Lucky Ighomuaye, Benin
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Saturday described voter turnout in the state’s local government election as encouraging, even as low voter participation and the late arrival of electoral officials and voting materials affected the exercise in parts of the state
Despite the logistical challenges recorded in some polling units, the election was largely peaceful, with accredited election observers and voters commending the orderly conduct of the exercise.
Governor Okpebholo, who cast his vote at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area, said reports from across the state indicated that the election was progressing smoothly.
The governor arrived at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m., joined other voters in the queue and cast his ballot at exactly 10:40 a.m. He later interacted with stakeholders before addressing journalists.
“This election is very peaceful and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field.
“The turnout is very high. This is a demonstration of grassroots democracy. It shows that our people are interested in choosing those who will administer the affairs of their local governments. By the grace of God, a winner will emerge at the end of today’s election,” he said.
He urged residents to remain peaceful throughout the process and await the official declaration of results by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).
Also speaking, Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, Comrade Fidelis Nwoke, said accredited observer groups had not recorded any major security breach during the exercise.
Nwoke said observer teams monitored polling units in Udomi, Igueben and other parts of the state, describing the process as peaceful and orderly.
“My organisation and several other observer groups have been fully accredited to monitor the Edo State local government election. Reports coming in from different parts of the state indicate that the process has been peaceful so far.
“We have monitored Udomi, Igueben and other locations. We have observed that the exercise has been peaceful, orderly and smooth. Electoral officials have arrived, voters have been able to cast their ballots and, at the end of the exercise, winners and losers will naturally emerge,” he said.
Security personnel were deployed across polling centres visited by journalists, maintaining order throughout the exercise.
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However, observations from Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas showed that low voter turnout and delays in the arrival of electoral officials and voting materials affected the exercise in several polling units.
At Agbado Primary School, Oredo Ward 4, comprising Polling Units 21 to 41, electoral materials arrived on time and voting commenced as scheduled. Despite the early start, only a handful of voters turned out to cast their ballots, leaving the polling centre largely deserted compared to previous elections.
In Egor Local Government Area, the election recorded a slow start in several polling units following the late arrival of electoral officials and election materials.
As of 9:00 a.m., accreditation and voting had yet to commence in many polling units in Wards 8 and 10. At Polling Units 9, 10, 11 and 12 located within Ugbowo Primary School, voters waited for several hours before officials of EDSIEC arrived with voting materials.
Voting, however, commenced early at Polling Units 1 to 10 in Ward 8 located within Uselu Secondary School.
At Oredo Ward 12, Polling Unit 21, a voter, Austin Obasogie described the exercise as peaceful.
“As you can see, people are still coming to vote. I am here to vote for the All Progressives Congress and I have cast my vote,” he said.
Another voter, Moses Osadolor, who voted at Polling Unit 5, said voting started early because the area served as the distribution centre for electoral materials. He nevertheless described voter turnout as low.
“I understand some people have come and gone back,” he said.
Mrs Blessing Odion, who voted at Oredo Ward 12, Polling Units 1 to 6, also described the election as peaceful.
According to her, although turnout appeared low, many voters adopted a walk-in approach by arriving, voting and leaving immediately after casting their ballots.
At Udomi Primary School, where Governor Okpebholo voted, residents Christopher Ejodamen, Timothy Uwaya and Lucky Okoawo said they voted without intimidation or harassment.
They said the peaceful atmosphere encouraged participation and reflected residents’ commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy. The voters also commended the Okpebholo administration, saying ongoing infrastructure and development projects across the state had inspired many residents to participate in the election.
