The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) says it has recruited and trained 10,000 ad hoc personnel ahead of Saturday’s local government elections across the state.
Speaking at a press briefing in Benin City, EDSIEC Chairman Jonathan Aifuobhokhan said the temporary election officials had undergone the necessary training and were fully prepared to carry out their responsibilities.
He said the commission had completed preparations for a free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive election, adding that all stages of the process comply with the Constitution, the Edo State Electoral Law and accepted democratic standards.
Aifuobhokhan disclosed that both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials had been produced, inspected, sorted and packaged for deployment to all 18 local government areas, wards and polling units.
He added that special logistics had been arranged to transport materials to riverine and other hard-to-reach communities to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised because of geographical challenges.
According to the EDSIEC chairman, voting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m., while election results will be transmitted manually.
“Our logistics are ready. Our transportation arrangements are complete. Election personnel have been adequately trained. Electoral materials have been deployed. Security coordination has been concluded. Communication systems are operational,” Aifuobhokhan said.
He expressed confidence that all polling units across the state’s 18 local government areas were ready for the exercise and assured voters that the commission would conduct an election that reflects the will of the people.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has announced a comprehensive security deployment ahead of the council elections.
Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika said personnel and operational assets had been deployed to all 18 local government areas, covering polling units, collation centres, critical infrastructure and other strategic locations.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the police commissioner directed officers to provide professional, impartial and intelligence-driven policing throughout the electoral process.
The command also said it would work closely with other security agencies to maintain law and order before, during and after the polls, while urging residents to vote peacefully and obey lawful directives from security personnel and election officials.
