Heavy rainfall has disrupted the timely distribution of election materials across several parts of Edo Central Senatorial District, causing delays in the commencement of voting during the ongoing gubernatorial elections.
The persistent downpours hampered the transportation of voting materials to polling units in key areas, including Esan West, Esan Central, and Esan North-East local government areas.
In some cases, access roads to remote communities were flooded, preventing vehicles carrying election materials from reaching their destinations on schedule.
The area is expected to be a battlefield as it is the area both the PDP and the APC candidates hail from.
As of 7:50 am, The Punch reported that election materials and electoral officials were yet to arrive at most of the polling units visited and many residents were still indoors due to the rains.
At the three polling units near the Ogboji area in Irrua and Alli Square in Ekpoma centres, only a handful of voters were seen waiting for the INEC officials and there was no sign yet that the election was holding due to the absence of materials and officials.
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The voters were seen anxiously waiting for the arrival of materials and logistics.
It was gathered that while some ad hoc officials complained they had yet to get paid, others said they had already been paid.
The restriction of movement order was strictly adhered to as security operatives scrutinised and ensured only residents with voter cards made use of the road to their various polling units.
The Edo 2024 gubernatorial election has drawn significant attention, with voters eager to elect a leader who will address key issues such as economic development, infrastructure, and security. The contest has seen a heated battle between the major political parties, with candidates vying for support across the state’s 18 local government areas.
As Independent National Electoral Commission continues to monitor the situation in Edo Central, all eyes are on the electoral body to ensure that the process remains free, fair, and credible, despite the challenges posed by the weather.
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