…INEC officials arrive late in some units
…Voter turnout varies across polling centres
The 2024 governorship election in Edo State has experienced varying reports concerning the arrival of INEC officials and voter turnout across different polling units.
At 7:43 a.m., INEC officials arrived at Unit 18, Oghede Ward 10, located at Oghede Secondary School on Ekenhuan Road, Egor Local Government Area. However, only a small number of voters were present at the time.
By 8:39 a.m., the situation at Units 7 to 10, Ward 1, Ezoti Primary School, Oredo Local Government Area, was markedly different. A large number of voters had turned out, but INEC officials were yet to arrive. Security operatives were already on the ground, maintaining order and ensuring the safety of the gathering electorate.
At 8:51 a.m., voting had commenced at Units 19 to 28, Ward 4, Emokpae Primary School, Oredo LGA, where the electoral process was proceeding smoothly. However, at Unit 41, Ward 4, Oredo LGA, by Idahosa Lane, Mission Road, while INEC officials were present, there were no voters at the polling unit. INEC staff expressed concerns about the absence of security personnel.
By 9:11 a.m., reports from Unit 36, Ward 4 at Evbiemwen indicated that both INEC officials and security operatives were present, but voters were yet to arrive. A similar situation was observed at Unit 32, Ward 4, Ero Street, Wire Road, Oredo LGA, where voting was ongoing under the supervision of security personnel, although turnout remained modest.
By 9:30 a.m., INEC officials finally arrived at Unit 31, Ward 4, Azama Street, Wire Road, Oredo LGA. Security operatives were present to maintain law and order, but voter turnout at the time of reporting remained low.
Across all the polling units visited, there was a heavy presence of security operatives both within and around the voting areas, ensuring that the election process proceeded in an orderly and peaceful manner.
