2 weeks Ago By Francis Ogbuagu
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The gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Bar Olumide Akpata has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Akpata who made this remark after casting his vote at his Oerdo Ward 6, Unit 11 polling center in Benin, said he believes that the heavy deployment of security personnel was good for the election. He said, “The process went well, I want to hope that this is the experience of every Edo voter, but I am not going to make that assumption standing here, I want to wait for feedback from my agents across the state, it’s 192 wards, 4500 polling units.
“We are hopeful that this will be the experience from every Edo voter and I am calling on INEC that the playing field should remain level, nobody should be given any undue advantage, all of our agents should be allowed into collation centres, the agent of all parties, nobody should be hindered, prevented from going into the collation centre, so that we can all witness the process, and be able to confirm that it was done in the manner as provided by law, the electoral act and the constitution. “INEC has no excuse, this is an off-cycle, they have the luxury to deploy their resources. “All eyes are on INEC, the entire country are on INEC, and we are hoping that they will do a good job.
It’s left to be seen if the heavy deployment of security personnel to Edo are for the people or for the certain individual.” However, there was very heavy deployment of security personnel across the state to forestall any possible security breach. Security operatives were in the early morning strategically stationed at various major roads.
Voters were forced to trek long distances to reach their polling stations. At Ring Road, by the Central Bank. Armoured Personal Carriers (APC) cordoned off the main road allowing only vehicles on essential duty.
Commuters heading to polling stations were stopped, thoroughly searched, and allowed to proceed. A mid-day situational statement by Yiaga Africa, election monitoring group, highlighted perceived lapses that could impact the outcome of Edo State governorship election. The citizens-led civic Advocacy Group said the uneven deployment of security personnel, which was not in short supply, resulting in some densely populated polling units having limited security presence in the election.
It stated that logistical challenges caused delays in the commencement of accreditation and voting in several polling units and expressed concern over reports of intimidation of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to bypass the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in some parts of the State. The data was gleaned from the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology to observe the election based on 300 stationary and 25 roving observers, covering a representative sample of polling units across all 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State. It particularly referenced Akoko-Edo Local Government Area where there was report of missing results sheets in Polling Unit 1 in Ward 8, and Orhionmwon Local Government Area where there were disruptions.
It lamented invasion of polling Unit 5 in Uwessan Ward 2, Esan Central Local Government Area where political thugs allegedly chasing voters from their polling unit, noting that despite the shortcomings in some areas, election began peacefully with minimal critical incidents. Yiaga Africa noted that these infractions risk voter suppression and election manipulation during the exercise that was worsened by poor rainfall arising from poor weather condition that led to delay in voting in some parts of the State. “Although most polling units observed had the presence of security agencies, Yiaga Africa observed an uneven distribution of security personnel, resulting in some densely populated polling units having limited security presence”, it said.
On the flip side, Yiaga Africa, commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and security agencies for their swift action in arresting suspected vote-buyers at polling units in Egor and the Oredo Local Government Areas during the election as predicted in its pre-election statement. The Non-Governmental Organization called on the commission to extend its operations to other Local Government Areas where votes are being traded for N10,000 per voter even in the presence of security personnel. It further urge the Nigeria Police is also applauded for arresting and disarming political thugs with firearms on the eve of the election, contributing to a more secure election day environment.
Yiaga Mid-assessment statement was jointly endorsed by Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, chairperson of the 2024 Edo Election Mission and Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa..
