The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) says it has completed preparations for Saturday’s local government election, including the recruitment and training of 10,000 ad hoc staff to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Chairman of the commission, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, disclosed this during a press briefing in Benin City on Thursday, assuring residents that all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the conduct of a free, fair, credible, transparent and peaceful election.
Aifuobhokhan said the recruited personnel had been adequately trained and possess the competence and professionalism required to successfully conduct the polls.
He noted that the commission had put in place measures to ensure the election complies with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the electoral laws of Edo State and internationally accepted democratic standards.
According to him, all sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials have been produced, inspected, sorted, packaged and allocated to local government offices for distribution.
He added that special logistics had been arranged to deliver election materials to riverine and other hard-to-reach communities to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised due to geographical challenges.
The EDSIEC chairman said voting would take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., while election results would be transmitted manually.
“Our logistics are ready. Transportation arrangements have been completed, election personnel have been trained, electoral materials have been deployed, security coordination has been concluded and communication systems are fully operational,” he said.
He added that every local government area, ward and polling unit in the state was fully prepared for the exercise.
Aifuobhokhan reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting an election that would reflect the genuine will of the people, urging eligible voters to participate peacefully in the exercise.
