Edo Election Underway As Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu Others Slug It Out For Governorship (Live Updates)

There seemed to be an altercation at Emuado, PU 2, Ward 4 @ Esan LGA. The place is rowdy.
OHORDUA. EGUARE PRIMARY SCHOOL i/ii (Ward 4,PU 002)
ESAN SOUTH-EAST LGA.
All voters present at the venue have voted.

12:31pm:
There seemed to be an altercation at Emuado, PU 2, Ward 4 @ Esan LGA. The place is rowdy.
OHORDUA. EGUARE PRIMARY SCHOOL i/ii (Ward 4,PU 002)
ESAN SOUTH-EAST LGA.
All voters present at the venue have voted.

12:30pm: Ward 10, Illeh/Eko-Ine PU 005, Imule Primary School III
Voting is ongoing smoothly. Asst. Presiding Officer III administering hand sanitizer before voters enter the voting area¹

12:05 pm, Ward 5, PU 13-18, Marie Goretti College, Ikpoba Okha LG.
A party agent is seen writing the names of voters and sharing money to them after voting. The man was seen with N1,000 notes.

At 12.12 p.m., Ovia South-West local government, Ward 7, PU1, voting point 2
Voting has ended for the time being as no one is on the queue. However, the presiding officer stated that they are waiting till 2.30 pm to start vote counting.

10:30 a.m EWATTO GRAMMAR SCHOOL (Ward 3,PU 010), ESAN SOUTHEAST LGA
Voters are all wearing face masks but are not observing social distancing as all are in a rush to vote.

10:45 a.m Etsako East: Eveva Pry School, Okpella IV
The school compound has 4 polling units; 006-009…
Voting is going on smoothly at the various wards inside the school compound
but the Covid-19 protocol is not observed.

10:40 a.m OREDO LGA ESIGIE PRIMARY SCHOOL Polling Unit 8 Ward 7
I was harassed because I asked about the number of registered voters in the unit. Some party agents are buying ice cream for people. In polling unit 8, voters and party agents are working hand in hand to ensure their candidate wins, thanks to the free ice cream.

9:55 a.m Uhunmwode South-South LG, Ward 01 Ehor, P.U 007 – Eguada Primary School
Despite the precautionary measures put in place, many voters are not using face masks. Also, there is no social distancing.

11 a.m PU 005(Isiohor, Army Children School) Ward 06(Oluku), Ovia North-East..
A guy was caught using a PVC that is not his and was arrested by security officials, which caused an uproar among the party agents.

10:51 a.m PU 006 Polling Unit 1, Esigie P/School 1 Ovia South West LGA
Voters are on queue to cast their votes, some party supporters are lobbying without keeping social distancing.

10: 59 a.m PU 06 Esigie P School Ovia South West LGA
People go to a parked truck to collect money after casting their votes.

ETSAKO CENTRAL: INEC officials are complaining that card readers are not authenticating card readers for a large number of people
.
10:57 a.m Uromi-Ukoni Primary School
There are four polling units here – 006-009 and a large turnout of voters. Vote buying is being done discreetly by party agents.
But there’s adherence to Covid-19 protocol as the voters are wearing face masks and adhering to social distancing.

11:04 a.m Ward 2, Idigun/Idumedo, PU 8.
I and an observer from Igueben Local were harassed and forced to delete our video which recorded the state House of Assembly member for Igueben constituency sharing money and arguing with a chief who told him it was wrong to be sharing money.

PU 007, Ward 2, Ewohimi II, ESAN Southeast LGA
The smart card reader is working well, allowing voters to cast their votes very fast. But none of the COVID19 rules is adhered to, except for a few people putting on face masks.

11:21a.m Ibore Primary School, Uneah (Ward 1), Esan Central.
Residents are using the opportunity to create a makeshift market for food and soft drinks in the primary school which houses four polling units.

11:24 a.m.PU 19, Ward 04 of Oredo LGA
Governor Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the PDP, and his wife, have been on the queue for more than 40 minutes.

11.01 a.m Ward 7, Aviele, Estako West LGA
The turnout of voters has been impressive. Several voters, who arrived as early as 8 a.m, had cast their votes but Gani Audu, the running mate of the candidate of the APC was yet to arrive at the venue.

Ughioli Primary School,Aviele, PUIA
Units 13, 14 and 15 are located in this school.Traders are kept busy selling snacks and drinks on the crowded field but there is relative peace in the area. Aviele is located in the Edo North Senatorial District and was marked as one of the flashpoints where violence is feared to occur.

11:24 a.m Okuta Primary School 2, Ebelle, Ward 06 PU 06, Igueben LGA.
The Total number of registered voters is 577. There is a poor turnout of voters, although the voting process is peaceful.

11:25 a.m OREDO LG, Ward 004

No compliance with INEC and NCDC’s Covid-19 protocols. Voting is in progress and there are suspicions of irregularities amidst the crowd of voters
11.12 a.m Polling Unit 13, Ward 7, Ughioli Pry School, Aviele, Estako West LGA
Gani Audu, the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, just arrived at , the unit to cast his vote.

Ward 6 PU 2 Aikhagbe, Ekpere 1, Etsako Central LGA
Vote buying is the order of the day in this unit where the APC is the domin

10:30 a.m EWATTO GRAMMAR SCHOOL (Ward 3,PU 010), ESAN SOUTHEAST LGA
Voters are all wearing face masks but are not observing social distancing as all are in a rush to vote.

10:45 a.m Etsako East: Eveva Pry School, Okpella IV
The school compound has 4 polling units; 006-009…
Voting is going on smoothly at the various wards inside the school compound
but the Covid-19 protocol is not observed.

10:40 a.m OREDO LGA ESIGIE PRIMARY SCHOOL Polling Unit 8 Ward 7
I was harassed because I asked about the number of registered voters in the unit. Some party agents are buying ice cream for people. In polling unit 8, voters and party agents are working hand in hand to ensure their candidate wins, thanks to the free ice cream.

9:55 a.m Uhunmwode South-South LG, Ward 01 Ehor, P.U 007 – Eguada Primary School
Despite the precautionary measures put in place, many voters are not using face masks. Also, there is no social distancing.

11 a.m PU 005(Isiohor, Army Children School) Ward 06(Oluku), Ovia North-East..
A guy was caught using a PVC that is not his and was arrested by security officials, which caused an uproar among the party agents.

10:51 a.m PU 006 Polling Unit 1, Esigie P/School 1 Ovia South West LGA
Voters are on queue to cast their votes, some party supporters are lobbying without keeping social distancing.

10: 59 a.m PU 06 Esigie P School Ovia South West LGA
People go to a parked truck to collect money after casting their votes.

ETSAKO CENTRAL: INEC officials are complaining that card readers are not authenticating card readers for a large number of people
.
10:57 a.m Uromi-Ukoni Primary School
There are four polling units here – 006-009 and a large turnout of voters. Vote buying is being done discreetly by party agents.
But there’s adherence to Covid-19 protocol as the voters are wearing face masks and adhering to social distancing.

11:04 a.m Ward 2, Idigun/Idumedo, PU 8.
I and an observer from Igueben Local were harassed and forced to delete our video which recorded the state House of Assembly member for Igueben constituency sharing money and arguing with a chief who told him it was wrong to be sharing money.

PU 007, Ward 2, Ewohimi II, ESAN Southeast LGA
The smart card reader is working well, allowing voters to cast their votes very fast. But none of the COVID19 rules is adhered to, except for a few people putting on face masks.

11:21a.m Ibore Primary School, Uneah (Ward 1), Esan Central.
Residents are using the opportunity to create a makeshift market for food and soft drinks in the primary school which houses four polling units.

11:24 a.m.PU 19, Ward 04 of Oredo LGA
Governor Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the PDP, and his wife, have been on the queue for more than 40 minutes.

11.01 a.m Ward 7, Aviele, Estako West LGA
The turnout of voters has been impressive. Several voters, who arrived as early as 8 a.m, had cast their votes but Gani Audu, the running mate of the candidate of the APC was yet to arrive at the venue.

Ughioli Primary School,Aviele, PUIA
Units 13, 14 and 15 are located in this school.Traders are kept busy selling snacks and drinks on the crowded field but there is relative peace in the area. Aviele is located in the Edo North Senatorial District and was marked as one of the flashpoints where violence is feared to occur.

11:24 a.m Okuta Primary School 2, Ebelle, Ward 06 PU 06, Igueben LGA.
The Total number of registered voters is 577. There is a poor turnout of voters, although the voting process is peaceful.

11:25 a.m OREDO LG, Ward 004

No compliance with INEC and NCDC’s Covid-19 protocols. Voting is in progress and there are suspicions of irregularities amidst the crowd of voters
11.12 a.m Polling Unit 13, Ward 7, Ughioli Pry School, Aviele, Estako West LGA
Gani Audu, the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, just arrived at , the unit to cast his vote.

Ward 6 PU 2 Aikhagbe, Ekpere 1, Etsako Central LGA
Vote buying is the order of the day in this unit where the APC is the domin

10:35 Ward 5, Unit 4, Eguare Primary School, Irrua, Esan Central
Smart card failure. The election officer said only five out of 30 voters were recognised by the card reader.

10:40 Idimu-Owu Primary School 2, Ward 06 PU 04, Ebelle, Igueben LGA.
People are going to a house where money is being shared by APC. Some DSS operatives hampered my video recording. But I can establish the fact that money is being shared because voters are directed there once they had voted.

10:23 a.m: Ward 02 PUs 22-23 (Uniben Teaching Hospital/Ugbowo), Egor LGA.

Voting is ongoing peacefully. Three persons had separately alleged that party agents were paying voters after voting. It could not independently verify this claim, although it was corroborated by three persons.

9:43a.m, Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education Polling Unit 26, Ward 6
Total number of registered voters:377
Voting and accreditation is being done in this unit simultaneously and people have been cooperating.

9:47a.m Oredo LGA, Ministry of education Polling Unit 24 Ward:6
Total number of registered voters: 755
Voting has commenced and election has been peaceful so far.

9:50a.m, Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education Polling Unit 20, Ward 6
Total number of registered voters:563
Some party agents are discreetly collecting names of people and telling them who to vote for. The agents are not wearing anything to identify their parties but they are standing where party agents were told to stand.

10 a.m Polling unit 04, Ward 08, Ugbogui, Ovia South-west LGA

Due to some glitches, accreditation had been suspended here and voting too. Hence, people, especially the elderly, are seen lamenting as a result of the hot sun.

9:55 a.m Uhunmwode South-South LG, Registration Area 01 Ehor, P.U 007 – Eguada Primary School
There are 1309 registered voters here. Some of the voters used their face masks many others did not. Also, there is no social distancing as they (voters) are roaming about and relating with each other without being careful.

Ovia North East, Ward 14, Oghede Code 10, Polling Unit 07.
Accreditation started around 9:46 a.m due to the wait for security personnel who had escorted election material to other polling units.

10:07 a.m Orhionwmwon LG, Abiokunla 2, PU 004
The total number of registered voters is 784. Voting has commenced in a seemingly quiet manner.

10:09 a.m PU006, Evboeghae II, Ugbeka ward, Orhionmwon LGA
Voting going on peacefully. Total number of voters is 467.

Egor Ward 9, Okhoro, Units 1 – 7
The military is carefully inspecting vehicles entering the polling premises. No sign of violence or intimidation of any kind within the elections premises.

10:30 a.m Ward5, PU13-18, Marie Goretti College, Ikpoba/Okha LGA

Voting is going on simultaneously. The voters queue with no conformity to INEC COVID-19 precautions.

A man is holding cash in his hands and heading towards Idimu Owu Primary School 2, Ward 06 PU 04, Ebelle, Igueben LGA.
People are still going in to get their cash.

10:45 a.m Ward 11, Unit 003 (Iyegbefue-Oyagha), Etsako West.

Election is in progress here. This is the PU of the Deputy governor’s wife, Maryam Shuaibu. This reporter sighted her talking to some of the voters. Only a few of the voters are wearing face masks while many are also not observing the COVID-19 social distancing rule. The units in this compound are some the ones the political gladiators in state are struggling to deliver in this election.

Etsako East: at Local Government Maternity 2, Imiomime, Okpella 111
Some voters claimed that the APC agents were paying #5,000 and PDP agents #3,000, making most of them to vote APC. No image proof, just conversation among the people around. My bike man did the interpretation, as the conversation was in the local language.

10:28 a.m Etsako West LGA Ward 10 (Uzairue North East)
PU: 001

Shortly after arrival at the polling unit, erstwhile Governor of Edo state, and immediate past National chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomole, was spotte

The Card Readers at PU 007, Ward 2, Ewohimi II, ESAN Southeast LGA is working well giving the voters an opportunity to cast their votes very fast. Also, none of the COVID19 rules was adhered to except few people putting on nose-masks.

10:44 AM: Ward 06 (Oluku) PUs 8-10 (Uniben), Ovia North East LGA

Peaceful conduct of the polling is exercised at the three UNIBEN polling units

“I thank INEC for the arrangement,” commented a voter, a retired professor. “The exercise is peaceful as you can see, it’s an educated community.

10:44 AM: Ward 06 (Oluku) PUs 8-10 (Uniben), Ovia North East LGA

Peaceful conduct of the polling is exercised at the three UNIBEN polling units

“I thank INEC for the arrangement,” commented a voter, a retired professor. “The exercise is peaceful as you can see, it’s an educated community.”

9:40 a.m Esan North East LGA, Ubierumu (Ward 11), Ubierumu – Uwa Primary School (PU 003):

Voting is yet to commence in this polling unit. An INEC official said the delay was because of the absence of security officers at the unit. She said they contacted the appropriate quarters but the security officers promised them were yet to arrive.

Some security officers finally arrived in a bus at 9:50 a.m and voting is now set to begin. Some private security guards were also noticed at the voting centre. But they had been instructed to leave the area by the police as of 10:04 a.m.

My phone was seized for some minutes by security officers for taking pictures. But it was returned to me at the command of a senior police officer.

10:05 a.m. Idimu-Owu Primary School 2 Ebelle Ward 06 PU 04
The scene is becoming rowdy.

10:26, Igueben LG Ward 3 ( Afuda/ Idumuoka) PU 002.
A serious argument ensued between party agents as some of them used their boys to assist elderly voters to cast their votes

10:30 a.m Ihunmudumu/Idumebo/Uke/Ujemen, R.A 05 PU 005, Uke Primary School.
Voting is going on smoothly in this unit.

Etsako East: Local Government Maternity, Imiomime, Okpella 111
No Covid-19 protocols observed.
The PDP agent was sharing #5,000to voters but stopped immediately I was sighted at 8:45 a.m. I could not spend much time there as local security personnel are rallying around me. Not understanding the language is another great challenge

9:48 a.m Ward 11, PU 11(Ugie-Elele-Olukhu), Etsako West.
A physically challenged party agent was seen writing numbers on the palms of voters before they proceed to the queue where they vote.

9:50 a.m PU 10 Ward 5 Owan East LGA
Voting is yet to start as the card reader is faulty. So the process is currently on hold.

10:06 a.m Owan west LGA17, Ward4, PU 05
Election is going on peacefully here. APO2 is seen çhecking temperature of voters but no social distancing
Party agents are very close to the ballot boxes so that they can see the party that has been voted for and obviously pay the voters that supported their parties.
It’s difficult to take pictorial evidence here.

10:04 a.m Onewa Primary School (which has two polling units 001 and 002)
Voting has commenced but the card reader for Unit 001 is currently not working, temporarily stalling voting.
There’s also little adherence to social distancing but voters without face masks are being told to leave the queue.

10:01 a.m: Ward 12 PUs 1-6, Oredo LGA

Electoral officers conducted thermal checks on voters in compliance with COVID-19 protocol. It is the standard observed across the polling units where everyone is also required to wear a face mask.
However, there is no social distancing.

09:08 a.m Ward PUs 12-14, Oredo LGA:
Electoral officers are yet to appear at these polling units located within the GRA Benin City. Scores of voters are already present, many of them sitting under four tents, similar to how voters in other elite neighbourhoods conduct themselves.

“We have not seen any of them despite our proximity to INEC office,” one voter said.

One person said he arrived at 7:15 a.m.
Police and civil defence officers are also present.

09:23 a.m Ward 02 PU 9

Voting is yet to commence as electoral officers are not available. The voting area is already filled with voters expecting the exercise to commence.
Police officers are already on the ground

9: 05a.m Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education Polling Unit 1, Ward:6
Total number of registered voters:907
Total number of accredited voters will be given after the election.
Election in this unit has been peaceful so far.

9:22 a.m Polling unit 1, Ogbe I, Urhokpotal Hall I Ward 1, Edo South
Oredo Local Government

The assistant presiding officer is educating the voters on INEC Covid 19 and PWD guidelines.
Voters on a queue about to start accreditation

9:24 a.m Ward02/ PU02. Ikpoba/okha LG
Voting exercise is yet to commerce because the card reader is defective. The presiding officer said he reported the issue and another is on the way to the polling unit.
No strict adherence to COVID-19 precautions

9: 10 a.m, Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education POLLING UNIT: 28 Ward:6 Total number of registered voters: 692
Election has been peaceful but some party agents were involved in a fight and everyone had to run for their safety. In that video, a party agent was holding money and willing to share for people to vote.

9:13 a.m Orhionwmwon LG, RA Abiokunla 01, Polling Units 007
In one of the polling points, the APO 2 is yet to be found. The presiding officers expressed dissatisfaction and frustration over the workload

9:32 a.m Polling Unit 5, Olo Motor Park, Ward 2, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government
Accreditation has begun. The environment is serene as voters are observing the Covid-19 protocols.

8:56 a.m the PO of Unit 2, Ward 4, Aduwawa, Ikpoba-Okha LGA
The presiding officer is introducing himself and his colleagues to the voters and instructing them as they are all set to cast their votes.

9 a.m Orhionwmwon LG, Urhonigbe Ward, 07, Akugbe Primary School, 010
The bike man who carried this observers was approached by a man from PDP who wished to offer him N2000 after casting his votes, though he declined it.
According to the man, PDP is giving out #2000 while APC is giving out N5000.

9:05 a.m Ovia North-East, PU 001, Ward 11, Urhuokhokho, Ikaladeran Pry. Sch
No officials on sight.

9:32 a.m Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education Polling Unit 18, Ward:6
Total number of registered voters: 726
Voting has commenced and election has been peaceful so far.

9:30a.m, Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education Polling Unit 19, Ward:6
Total number of registered voters:759
Voting has commenced and election has been peaceful in this unit so far, people are cooperating and they are obeying the Covid-19 guidelines.

9:24 a.m PU 003 (Ogiyan Primary School, Utesse), of Ward 03 (Uhen), Ovia North-East
The smart card reader is not authenticating cards. Accreditation is being done manually to the displeasure of voters and party agents. APO III informs party agents that new SCR should be available in 20-30 minutes

Ward 4, Emaudo Primary School, Ekpoma
APC agents are giving some voters distinct white, red and yellow coloured face masks, indicating they have agreed to vote for the party.

Ward 6, PU 11, Ubiaja 1, ESAN Southeast LGA
The card reader is malfunctioning while the APO tries to clean it with methylated spirit.

News reaching me indicate the red white and yellow masks to be a symbol for APC.

9:36 a.m OHORDUA IBHIEDU PRIMARY SCHOOL I/ii (Ward 4,PU 008)
ESAN SOUTHEAST LGA

Accreditation has started at two of the three polling stations while accreditation is yet to start in the third one becausebecause the INEC officials are still trying to address the people to coordinate themselves and use their face masks and also observe social distancing.

The other two stations that have started accreditation, social distancing is observed with voters standing apart at arm length. Those without face masks are asked to leave the queue and get a their face masks.

09:54am: Election Observers who were detained by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan at Esan Central Divisional Police Headquarters, have been released “on the orders of the Commissioner of Police in Charge of Elections

Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education POLLING UNIT: 18 Ward:6
Total number of registered voters: 726
Total number of accredited voters will be given after the election exercise, voting has commenced and election has been peaceful so far.

9:30a.m, Oredo LGA, Ministry of education POLLING UNIT: 19 Ward:6
Total number of registered voters:759
Voting has commenced and election has been peaceful in this unit so far, people are cooperating and they are obeying the covid19 guidelines.

9:24AM | Smart card reader at PU 003 (Ogiyan Primary School, Utesse), of Ward 03 (Uhen) in Ovia North-East, not authenticating cards. Accreditation is being done manually to the displeasure of voters and party agents. APO III informs party agents that new SCR should be available in 20-30mins

Egor LGA, ward 7 Uselu 2, Unit 1, and Unit 2
9:40 am: Voting is in progress but in rather crowded, noisy and unbalanced conditions. It is not a tranquil condition at all.

At 9:35 am. Igueben LGA, Edo Central*
*PU:002 IGUEBEN-Uhe RA: 04 (Uhe/Udimogbo) Voting exercise has began. The gathering is devoid of physical distancing which is not in line with Covid-19 elections protocol.

9:28am, PU 4, Uwessan Primary School, Uwessan II (Ward 3), Esan Central. Voters are unruly in a bid to vote early. Use of facemasks has been mandated by the PO.

9:30am: Ward 6, Unit 2 Orhionmwon local government.
The INEC official announced to the electorate that the elderly can choose a voter of his/her choice to help him/her cast their vote.

9:15 a.m, Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education
POLLING UNIT:16 Ward:6
Total number of registered voters: 711
Voting has commenced and the election has been peaceful in this unit, they are adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines.

9:33 Ward 2 of Olo motor park, Unit 38, Ikpoba-Okha local government area. Accreditation hasn’t commenced as they said the INEC ad-hoc staffs just arrived with the electoral materials

9:23 a.m, Oredo LGA, Ministry of Education
POLLING UNIT:17 Ward: 6
Total number of registered voters:655
Voting has commenced and the election has been peaceful in this unit.

ESAN SOUTHEAST LGA
As of 9:14am, in ABUMEREI/ii AKPOZA, Ward 4, PU 004. Accreditation is yet to start.INEC officials are just setting the cubicle.

Voters and security officials are already at the venue.

9:19am: Two buses of security personnel just arrived at PU2, Ward 6, Okogbo p/school, Orhionmwon local government.

08:02 a.m Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, Egor ward 9 Okhoro.
Voters are already o a queue as INEC officials educate them on the rules and regulations of voting. Most of the voters are wearing face masks but social distancing is not observed.

8:29 a.m Oredo LGA, URUBI, POLLING UNIT: Emokpai Modern School, Ward 4.
Voting and accreditation have not started. Officials said they are not allowed to give out the details such as the number of registered and accredited voters.

8:36 a.m Orhionwmwon LG, Urhonigbe Ward, 07, Akugbe Primary School, 010
The presiding officers are discussing with party agents as voting is about to kick-off.

8:31 a.m PU 1, Egor Primary School, Egor Ward, Egor LG.
Voting is yet to commence. The election officials are wearing Covid-19 prevention gears. However, social distancing is not observed as the voters gathered in groups.

8:35 a.m Ogbe 1, Ward 2
some adhoc staff claimed that they were waiting for a vehicle to convey them to their PUs.

8:30a.m Unit 14, Uselu II, Egor LG
The polling officer is addressing the voters on queue before voting commences.

8:32 a.m Ikopba/Okha LG Ward 4 PU 8,9,10 Big Joe Complex Ward
Voters are waiting for election materials and the adhoc staff. Many of the voters are using face mask but are not maintaining social distancing

8:37a.m Registration Area 04, PU 01 Aduwawa Secondary School, Ikpoba Okha, LG
Voters are checking their names on the voters’ list.

8:37a.m Oredo LGA, URUBI, POLLING UNIT Emokpai Modern School, Ward 4, Unit 26
Voting and accreditation is about to commence. The presiding officer is still giving instructions on what to do. Party agents are also being called upon to sign on a register before accreditation starts.

8.39, Ovia South-West Local Government, Ward 2, Polling Unit 8
Opening poll is about to start as officials are preparing their materials.

8:42a.m Polling unit 5, Ogbe II Ward 1, Edo South Oredo Local Government
Accreditation is about to start.

8:45 a.m Ward 1, Polling Unit 5
The presiding officer, Iloh Phillip, said there are 1,785 registered voters. Voters accreditation has started.

8:35 a.m Unit 2, Uselu II, Egor LG
The Presiding officer showed the ballot box was empty as voting started.

8:45 a.m Polling Unit 07, Ward 02, Ovia South-west Local Government Accreditation has just started.

8:36 Polling Unit 1, Ward 4, Aduwawa Secondary School.
Voters are looking for their numbers on the pasted list. A man protested to INEC officials that he could not find his name on the list and was assured that more lists would be pasted but the gum they were using in pasting on the wall had finished.
Covid-19 guidelines are not adhered to.
The presiding officer is addressing voters on preferential treatment of disabled voters

8:17a.m PU 004, Evbokabua I/II, Iyoba Ward, Orhionmwon LGA
Electoral officers are arranging materials for the elections. Voters lists are also being pasted.

8:45 a.m Unit 2, Uselu II, Egor LG
Preferential treatment is being given to the elderly as voting commences.

8:48 a.m Aduwawa Secondary School, Registration Area, Ikpoba Okha LG
Voters are on a long queue. Some of them are using face masks but there is no observation of social distancing.

08:32 a.m Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, Okhoro ward 09, Egor LGA
Elections has started across almost all the polling stations in the polling unit.

8:45 a.m PU 005 (Ovonramwen Primary School, Iguomo) of Ward 1 (Okada West) in Ovia North-East.
Accreditation of voters and voting has just started. Voters are still checking for their names on the registration lists.

8:41 a.m Oredo LGA, URUBI, POLLING UNIT: Emokpai Modern School, Ward 4. Unit 19.
Total number of registered voters are :1,141. Voting is about to start but there is a little commotion.

8:51 a.m Orhionwmwon LG, Urhonigbe Ward, 07, Akugbe Primary School, 010
Voting has started.Voters are having their hands sanitised before they are accredited to vote.

8:45am, Ward 8, Uselu II, Unit 6, Egor LG
Preferential treatment is bei

treatment is being given to the elderly as voting commences.

8:48 a.m Aduwawa Secondary School, Registration Area, Ikpoba Okha LG
Voters are on a long queue. Some of them are using face masks but there is no observation of social distancing.

08:32 a.m Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, Okhoro ward 09, Egor LGA
Elections has started across almost all the polling stations in the polling unit.

8:45 a.m PU 005 (Ovonramwen Primary School, Iguomo) of Ward 1 (Okada West) in Ovia North-East.
Accreditation of voters and voting has just started. Voters are still checking for their names on the registration lists.

8:41 a.m Oredo LGA, URUBI, POLLING UNIT: Emokpai Modern School, Ward 4. Unit 19.
Total number of registered voters are :1,141. Voting is about to start but there is a little commotion.

8:51 a.m Orhionwmwon LG, Urhonigbe Ward, 07, Akugbe Primary School, 010
Voting has started.Voters are having their hands sanitised before they are accredited to vote.

8:45am, Ward 8, Uselu II, Unit 6, Egor LG
Preferential treatment is being given to elderly women who are also keeping to the social distancing rule.

8:54 am Polling Unit 3, PU 1, Egor Primary School, Egor Ward, Egor LG.
Accreditation of voters and voting going on.

9:17 am at PU 02, Blessed Assurance Nur/Pri School, Ogida ward, Egor LG, the election is ongoing. Social distancing is not being observed as electorates are clustered together. Preferences are given to elderly

9:12am The first electorate cast his vote at Ward 6, PU2, Orhionmwon local government.
The A.P.O arranged electorate to observe social distancing. Hand sanitizer is being used for the electorate and voters without proper face mask are not allowed to vote.

9:05am, In Ovia North-East, PU 001, Ward 11, Urhuokhokho, Ikaladeran pry. sch … No officials present.

9:10am Polling unit 2, Ogbe I, Urhokpotal hall I Ward 1, Edo South
Oredo Local Government

Party agents, presiding officers and assistant presiding officers are present, polling units have been set up and accreditation is starting

The fight for the political and economic control of Edo state for the next four years will be settled today as electorates in the state head to the poll to pick their next governor in what will appear to be a keenly contested election by the two major contestants.

The build up to the election was typified by constant tension, trepidation and name calling with fierce clashes among supporters of the two major parties which claimed lives, leaving the state on the brink of social unrest and and political violence.

The situation has led many to conclude that the election will be fraught with violence, rigging and voters intimidation.

But with the peace accord signed by the political parties and actors to sheath their swords and let the will of the people prevail, coupled with the threat by the United state to take punitive measures against anyone who forments trouble or incites violence during the election, the electorates and other stakeholders are expecting a hitch free, smooth, fair and credible elections.

Fourteen political parties have thrown their hat in the governorship election ring with the major contenders being Godwin Obaseki of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who’s the incumbent and Ize-Iyamu Osagie of the All Progressives Congress (APC) hoping to unseat him.

The fourteen (14) political parties and fourteen (14) candidates are: EDEMAKHIOTA GODWIN OSAIMIAMIA – AA; MABEL AKOMU OBOH – ADC; IBOI LUCKY EMMANUEL – ADP; OSAGIE ANDREW IZE-IYAMU – APC; OSAGIE LUCKY IDEHEN – APGA;

AMOS OSALUMESE ARELOEGBE – APP; IGBINEWEKA OSAMUEDE – APM; OSIFO UHUNEKPENMA ISAIAH – LP; AGOL EBUN TRACY – NNPP; STEVIE NASH OZONO – NRM; GODWIN NOGHEGHASE OBASEKI – PDP; FELIX IZEKOR OBAYANGBON – SDP; OSAGIOBARE JONES – YPP and AKHALAMHE AMIEMENOGHENA –

EkoHotBlog reports that that the election would take place in eighteen (18) Local Government Areas (LGAs) and one hundred and ninety-two (192) wards in the state.

Local government areas where the election will take place are: Akoko Edo with 115,343 voters; Egor has 158,817; Esan Central has 40,831; Esan North-East has 66,790; Esan South-East has 58,802; Esan West has 83,467; Etsako Central has 42,042; Etsako East has 67,715; Etsako West has 128,188, and Igueben has 34,988.

Others are Ikpoba/Okha with 214,822; Oredo, 240,197; Orhionmwon, 102,739; Ovia North-East, 113,167; Ovia South West, 77,468; Owan East, 77,827; Owan West, 46,245 and Uhunmwonde 57,290.