The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced an extension of voting hours for the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday.
This decision comes in response to reports of late commencement of voting in some locations due to delayed arrival of polling officials.
Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Committee, stated in an official release, “Voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last voter on the queue who arrived at the Polling Unit by 2.30pm has voted.”
He added, “We have drawn the attention of our office in Edo State to ensure that, where necessary, there is adequate power supply from our back-up electric generators in the affected Polling Units or Ward Collation Centres.”
The Explainer learned, earlier in the day, some voters had expressed frustration over the delayed start of voting processes. INEC acknowledged these concerns, noting that while many polling units opened early, others experienced delays.
The Edo gubernatorial race has attracted 17 candidates, including 16 men and one woman.
However, political observers suggest the contest has essentially become a three-way race between Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
INEC data reveals that out of 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo State, 2,249,780 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The distribution of PVC collection shows Edo South Senatorial District leading with 1,254,424 (55.76%), followed by Edo North with 629,397 (27.98%), and Edo Central with 365,959 (16.27%).
The state’s electoral landscape comprises 18 local government areas, 192 electoral wards, and 4,519 polling units, presenting a complex logistical challenge for INEC.
As voting continues into the evening hours, INEC maintains its vigilance from the situation room at its National Headquarters in Abuja, monitoring the election’s progress across the state
