[LIVE UPDATES] #EdoDecides: Edo State 2024 Governorship Election

Eligible residents and citizens of Edo State are out today to elect the man to govern the affairs of the South-south State for the next four years.

Naija News reports that Edo State residents will vote to replace Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The major candidates in today’s gubernatorial election are: Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Monday Okpebholo and; Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.

The 18 Local Government Areas In Edo State includes: Akoko-Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North-East, Esan South-East, Esan West, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Etsako West, Igueben, Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, Orhionmwon, Ovia North-East, Ovia South-West, Owan East, Owan West, Uhunmwonde.

Stick with Naija News as we bring you updates on the governorship election…

Results have started trickling in.

INEC has vowed to transmit results of the ongoing governorship election in Edo State electronically.

Anugbum Onuoha, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo, said this in an interview with ARISE Television, on Saturday.

He said: “We have a total of 4,519 pulling units across the 18 Local Government Areas. So far, we have deployed 4,622 BVAS to the various local governments. And we also have a backup of 660 BVAS.”

Sorting of votes is currently ongoing at Polling Unit 7, Ward 5, Otoruwo 1, Esan Central Local Government Area.

#EdoDecides2024

At Oredo Local Government’s Ward 6, Unit 33, fewer than 50% of its registered voters turned up for accreditation and voting.

#EdoDecides2024

Counting at Ward 7, unit one is north. 778 registered voters, but 190 accredited voters, making it 24% of voters.

INEC has extended voting time in areas where the exercise commenced behind schedule due to rainfall and some logistics.

INEC Officials and materials arrived late at ward one, unit 3 in Ewohimi, Esan North Local Government Area, where Ighodalo voted.

Voting is yet to commence in Jattu Ward 11 the unit of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu as a result of the non-functional BVAS.

The people are angry both old and young 12:30 now but it seems the BVAS has just been replaced as the people hurriedly queue up.

Voters have been left frustrated in Ward 7, Unit 39, as the BIVAS machine failed.

Naija News reports that 839 registered voters are seated around the unit as they await another machine from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The polling unit official confirmed that a new machine will brought for the election, expressing hope that the voting time will be extended.

Former Edo State Governor and current Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has cast his vote in the ongoing governorship election in the state.

Oshiomhole cast his vote at Iyamho, Ward 10 Unit 01 in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, and remained optimistic that his party would emerge victorious.

Speaking to journalists after casting his vote, the lawmaker commended the peaceful conduct of the election and appreciated the people of the state for shining violence.

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Olumide Akpata, has cast his vote in the ongoing election in Edo State.

Akpata, while addressing newsmen after casting his vote at his polling unit in Oredo, said he was confident he would win.

He further stated that he is impressed with the turnout, which he described as impressive.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, has cast his vote in the ongoing election.

Okpebholo, after voting, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is getting the Edo gubernatorial election right.

The governorship election in Edo State encountered a setback in Ward 8, unit 1, Orhionmwon, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

Voters in the said ward were visibly upset due to the absence of the election result sheets according to a video circulating online showing voters agitating for it.

However, the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were unable to provide the sheets, stating that they were on their way.

This led to further frustration among the voters, who refused to participate in an election without result sheets.

Some election officials and ad-hoc staff with security escort in Ibiwe/Iwegie/Ugbahue Registration Area, Oredo LGA, were transported to their polling stations in Benin metropolis. While at Ibiwe/Iwegie/Ugbahue Registration Area, Oredo LGA, INEC officials and ad-hoc staff were seen waiting to be deployed to their polling stations.

Voting has started at Ujiogba, Eguari primary school unit 2,3,11, ward 2, Esan west LGA. Meanwhile, voters have started sorting out their names on the register at PU 034, Ogbe Primary School, Oredo LGA. Voting had not commenced at about 8.28am

At Senator Adams Oshiomole’s poling unit, EFCC officials and policemen were spotted trying to ensure there is no vote buying.

Distribution of materials commences at Ogbe Registration Area Centre in Oredo LGA.

Adhoc officials have arrived and commenced setting up election materials at a RAC in Ward 7 Unit 3 of Egor Local Government Area, in the southern part of Edo State, ahead of today’s governorship polls.

Naija News reports that over two million and six hundred eligible electorates across the 18 local government areas of the state are expected to troop out en mass today to exercise their civic rights.