Edo LG Elections: Okpebholo Hails ‘High’ Voter Turnout

 

Governor Monday Okpebholo has described voter turnout in Saturday’s local government elections in Edo State as encouraging.

The governor spoke after casting his ballot at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School, Esan Central Local Government Area, where voting commenced early with electoral officials and security personnel on ground.

Governor Okpebholo voted at exactly 10:40 a.m following his arrival at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m., where he joined other voters in the queue.

Commending voters for their conduct, he said reports from across the state indicated the election was progressing smoothly.

“This election is very peaceful, and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field,” he said.

“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.”

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Okpebholo urged residents to maintain the peace throughout the voting process and to await the official declaration of results by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, Fidelis Nwoke, said observer groups deployed across the state did not record any major security breach or disruption.

“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,” Nwoke said.

“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.”

Security personnel were visible at polling centres with voters queuing patiently to cast their ballots.

Some of the voters noted that the peaceful atmosphere encouraged greater participation and reflected residents’ commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy.

Others expressed support for the Okpebholo administration, saying ongoing infrastructure projects and other development initiatives across Edo State inspired many to come out and vote.

Saturday’s election was conducted across all 18 LGAs of Edo State to elect chairmen and councillors.

The process was supervised by EDSIEC, with accredited observers, journalists and security agencies deployed to monitor proceedings.

As voting continued in many parts of the state, observers expressed optimism that the peaceful atmosphere recorded in the early stages would be sustained until the completion of voting and announcement of results.

 

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