Edo voters are heading to the polls today to elect a new governor as Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tenure nears its end on November 12. The election is off to a slow start in Benin City, with delays in deploying ad-hoc officials and materials to polling units.
7:28 AM
At the RAC center on Apkapava Ring Road, Benin City, sensitive materials are ready for distribution, but ad-hoc staff are yet to depart.
7:30 AM
INEC officials at Ogbe Primary School, Oredo LGA, begin sorting materials for multiple polling units.
8:15 AM
In Oredo LGA, officials arrive at Emopkae Primary School, but voting is yet to start as they set up polling units.
8:20 AM
High Chief Kashim Otaru arrives at a polling unit in Ukpella, Estako East LGA, expecting a strong voter turnout.
8:30 AM
The polling officer at Igbesamwan Primary School, Oredo LGA, addresses voters and party agents on guidelines for a smooth process.
8:40 AM
At Agbado Primary School, Benin City, a Registration Area Centre (RAC) housing 45 polling units, ad-hoc staff prepare to move materials.
8:42 AM
A large crowd gathers at Ward 6, Oredo, Urubi-Iyaro Street, awaiting voting materials.
9:00 AM
At Ward 2, Unit 1, Oredo LGA, ad-hoc staff are waiting to set up tables, and voters are present.
9:05 AM
Voting and accreditation commence smoothly in Ikpema/Eguadase Ward, Oredo LGA. BVAS devices are functioning optimally.
11:00 AM
Rain temporarily halts voting at Ward 4, Oredo LGA.
11:25 AM
Despite the rain, voters continue to cast their ballots at Ward 4, Oredo LGA.
11:46AM
Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo voted in his polling unit PU003, Uwessan 1, Esan Central Local Government Area.
11:56AM
Meanwhile, EFCC operatives arrested three vote buyers in the Egor Local Government Area of the state.
However some residents challenged the operatives, alleging victimisation.
12:06
INEC officials arrived at 10:30 am at Idinrio-Okaigben Skill Acquisition centre, Ewohinmi Ward 1, unit 3, Asue Ighodalo’s polling unit. Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, has cast his vote.
As voting progresses, INEC has reiterated its ban on campaign materials at polling units, reminding parties that the official campaign period ended at midnight on September 19, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2023.