Elections into two local government areas of Edo, Oredo and Ikpoba Okha local government were yesterday cancelled by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) due to the lack of electoral materials.
According to a statement issued by the Commission’s chairman, Solomon Ogor, this was necessary to forestall allegations of foul play.
Ogor said eligible voters across the state had turned out to cast their votes for the 18 chairmanship and 192 councillorship candidates of their choice from among 6 political parties, but had different tales to tell.
He also disclosed that in ward 2 Aibiokuna in Orhionwon local government area of Edo South voting materials arrived at about 10.30am as? Electoral officials, Returning officers, and Supervisors were observed sorting out the materials for onward distribution to other wards and units.
A C N lawmaker representing Orhionwon 1 constituency at the State House of Assembly, Hon Patrick Aisowiere in an interview, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.
Earlier, Edo state deputy governor, Dr Pius Odubu, had remarked that the initial hitches of late arrival of materials had been overcome, adding that the people were happy and enthusiastic to wait and cast their votes because of what Mr governor has done.
But the PDP candidate in the last governorship election, Retired Major General Charles Airhiavbere, who voted at Garrick primary school polling unit in Oredo local government, blamed the voters apathy on what he called non-performance of governor Oshiomhole.