By Ada Nkong
A non governmental organisation, CLEEN Foundation after observing the Edo State governorship elections has commended the security operatives for their punctuality and impartiality during the 2024 Edo governorship elections.
In a report made available to our correspondent, CLEEN foundation says there was a general feeling of safety at the polling units.
“The ESSC data indicate a 90% feeling of safety by voters in the Edo state 2024 governorship election. 5% indicate a somewhat feeling of safety. Information gathered from some polling units showed an altercation between party agents on the issue of vote trading. However, the security personnel at the polling unit resolved the difference between party agents”.
While the report complained of vote trading in various polling units like Ehean Ikpoba-Okhar,Igueben and Uhumwode where vote buying allegedly took place with a lady who was arrested by EFCC later released, it however noted thatĀ the trend of electoral violence has significantly moved from the polling unit to the collation centres, especially with the introduction of Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS) that greatly reduced tampering with the polling unit results, effectiveness in election security management cannot be over-emphasized.
“CLEEN Foundation observed at polling unit 007, Ward 06 in Uhunmwode LGA, the arrest of political party vote buyers that were operating at the polling unit by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). As reported by our observer, the female vote buyer was later released as she was crying and refused to enter the EFCC vehicle. However, other political party agents continued with the vote buying when the officials of EFCC left the polling unit. There were 7 Police, 3 NSCDC and one Immigration personnel at the polling unit but they turned a blind eye on the vote buyers until the EFCC arrived”.
The candidate of the APC Senator Monday Okpebholor emerged victorius in the elections.
NewsAnnexOnline 