EDO GUBER 2024: Observers Hail Elections as INEC vows to investigate irregularities.

Oru Leonard 

As yesterday’s governorship election in Edo State was marked by some challenges including late arrival of election materials in some areas, which led to frustrated voters that defied the downpour to exercise their civic duty. However, the determination of the electorate was not dampened, and they persevered to cast their ballots.

Reports also emerged of vote-buying incidents in some parts of the state, prompting swift action from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which made several arrests. This collaborative effort between the EFCC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) aimed to eliminate vote-buying and ensure a credible electoral process.

INEC had already laid the groundwork for this partnership, joining forces with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and EFCC to prevent vote-buying ahead of the election. This proactive approach demonstrates INEC’s commitment to addressing electoral infractions and maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.

As the dust settles on the election, INEC has vowed to address any identified infractions, underscoring its dedication to upholding the principles of democracy.

Meanwhile, Election observers monitoring the ongoing 2024 Governorship election in Edo State, have expressed their satisfaction with the timely and early movement of electoral materials across the state.

According to our correspondent who is monitoring the election said, the commendation came on the backdrop of early movement of election materials in Edo state.

Speaking to reporters at ward 12, Agbado primary school in Benin city, early this morning; Ezenwa Nwangu of Yiaga Africa commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the smooth and early distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials across polling units in the state.

According to him, the process has so far been very commendable and a far cry from previous situations where materials left for polling units late, resulting in late commencement of polls.

The Yiaga Africa representative  commended the election security personnel put in place to ensure the safety of both the materials, electoral staff and the voters.

“We have monitored the transportation of the materials from the RACs to polling units, and we are pleased with the organized and timeliness of the operation so far,” he said.

Also, Chairman of one of the observers group, Connected Development (CODE), Hamza Lawal, equally applauded INEC for its adherence to promise of early deployment of electron materials, which is a critical factor in ensuring a free, fair, and credible election.

According to him, “The early movement of materials to polling units is particularly commendable, as it shows the Commission’s commitment to a credible process and we expect that this is replicated across the board”, Lawal said.

News Dot Africa reports that collation of the Local Government Area results is ongoing at the INEC Collation Centre in Benin City, Nigeria.

Key Election Facts:

– Number of Candidates: 34 governorship candidates from 17 political parties contested the election .
– Partnership Against Vote-Buying: INEC, NOA, and EFCC collaborated to prevent vote-buying .
– Electoral Preparations: Stakeholders had strategized to ensure a credible, free, and fair electoral process.

Cover Photo Caption: Voting process at  Imaguero College II, Ward 11. (Vanguard)