A large number of voters in Edo State came out yesterday to cast their votes to elect chairmen in the 18 local government areas and 192 ward councilors.
The exercise was adjudged to be peaceful as eligible voters were seen exercising their franchise in most of the wards visited.
In Esan Central local government area, Governor Monday Okpebholo who cast his vote at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School, described the voter turnout in the local government elections as encouraging, while accredited election observers said voting had been peaceful and orderly across the state.
Okpebholo arrived at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m. and joined other voters in the queue before exercising his civic responsibility at exactly 10:40 a.m. He then spent several minutes interacting with stakeholders before speaking to journalists covering the election.
He commended voters for their orderly conduct and said reports reaching him from other parts of the State indicated that the election was progressing peacefully.
“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.”
He urged residents to continue conducting themselves peacefully throughout the voting process and to await the official declaration of results by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).
Some accredited election observers also gave a positive assessment of the conduct of the poll.
Speaking with journalists in Udomi, the Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, Comrade Fidelis Nwoke, said many observer groups deployed across the state did not record any major security breach or disruption as voting progressed.
According to him, his organisation, alongside other accredited observer groups, monitored polling units in Udomi, Igueben and found the process to be generally peaceful.
Security personnel were visible at polling centres visited by journalists, while eager voters queued patiently to cast their ballots.
At Udomi Primary School, where the governor voted, residents expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, describing the process as orderly and transparent.
Three voters Christopher Ejodamen, Timothy Uwaya and Lucky Okoawo said they were able to vote without intimidation or harassment.
According to them, the peaceful atmosphere encouraged greater voter participation and reflected the commitment of residents to strengthening grassroots democracy.
The voters also expressed support for the administration of Governor Okpebholo, saying ongoing infrastructure projects and other development initiatives across Edo State had inspired many people to participate in the election.
Voting took place under the supervision of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, with accredited observers, journalists and security agencies deployed to monitor the exercise.
As voting continued in many parts of the state, election observers expressed optimism that the peaceful atmosphere recorded during the early stages of the poll would be sustained until the completion of voting and the announcement of results.
Edo Assembly speaker, Rt Hon Chief Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, who cast his vote at Uben Primary School, Unit 10, Ward 2 at Uhomora, Owan West local government area, described the exercise as peaceful.
