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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has described voter turnout in yesterday’s Local Government Council elections in the State as encouraging, while accredited election observers said voting was peaceful and orderly across the state.
The governor spoke after casting his ballot at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School, in Esan Central Local Government Area, where voting commenced early with electoral officials and security personnel on ground.
The Governor arrived at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m. and joined other voters in the queue before exercising his civic responsibility at exactly 10:40 a.m. He then spent several minutes interacting with stakeholders before speaking to journalists covering the election.
He commended voters for their orderly conduct and said reports reaching him from other parts of the State indicated that the election was progressing peacefully.
“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 continue conducting themselves peacefully throughout the voting process and to await the official declaration of results by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).
Some accredited election observers also gave a positive assessment of the conduct of the poll.
Speaking with journalists in Udomi, the Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, Comrade Fidelis Nwoke, said many observer groups deployed across the state did not record any major security breach or disruption as voting progressed.
He stated that his organisation, alongside other accredited observer groups, monitored polling units in Udomi, Igueben and found the process to be generally peaceful.
“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 arrived, voters have been able to cast their ballots and at the end of the exercise, winners and losers will naturally emerge”, Nwoke said.
Security personnel were visible at polling centres visited by journalists, while eager voters queued patiently to cast their ballots.
At Udomi Primary School, where the governor voted, residents expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, describing the process as orderly and transparent.
Three voters, Christopher Ejodamen, Timothy Uwaya and Lucky Okoawo, said they were able to vote without intimidation or harassment.
They said the peaceful atmosphere encouraged greater voter participation and reflected the commitment of residents to strengthening grassroots democracy.
The voters also expressed support for the administration of Governor Okpebholo, saying ongoing infrastructure projects and other development initiatives across Edo State had inspired many people to participate in the election.
