Your guide to Edo election facts: Candidates, voters, polling units

By Lawrence Agbo

The glamour, intrigue, and conflicts amongst political gladiators under the scrutiny and influence of superior politicians, including President Bola Tinubu, are becoming more and more glaring as the Edo State 2024 governorship race approaches.

With over 35,000 police officers and an additional 8,000 security personnel deployed to polling stations, the election has already created a climate of fear and violence that international organizations will also be observing.

This is one of the reasons Godwin Obaseki, the state’s current governor, has frequently expressed anxiety about the successful outcome of the election.

This article will cover the number of political candidates aiming for the position of governor, expected voter turnout, and the total number of polling stations in the Edo state.

INEC has registered and certified seventeen political parties to run in the Edo State gubernatorial election, including sixteen male candidates and one female according to information obtained from its website.

In addition, there is one primary school leaving certificate holder, three WAEC certificate holders, several Diploma, BSc, engineers, and three lawyers competing for the office of governor.

Notable candidates include Iyere Kennedy (Accord), a fintech and human rights entrepreneur; Tom Iseghohi (Action Alliance), a former Transcorp general manager; and Udoh Oberaifo (AAC), a business consultant. Osarenren Izedonmwen (ADC) an engineer, whereas Kingson Akhimie (ADP) and Senator Monday Okpebholo (APC) have previous political experience.

Osifo Isaiah (APGA) and Ugiagbe Sylvester (APM) are also running, likewise accountants Areloegbe Amos Osalumese (APP).

Other candidates include former NBA president Olumide Akpata (Labour), pastor Azemhe Friday Azena (NNPP), lawyer Asuerinme Ighodalo (PDP), and the only female candidate, health professional Key Ndidi Patience (PRP). Anerua Abdulai Aliu (SDP), Okungbowa Paul Ovbokhan (YPP), and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena (ZLP).

INEC’s national commissioner, Sam Olumekun, revealed on Tuesday, September 17, that Edo State has 2,629,025 registered voters; however, 2,249,780 have retrieved their PVCs, leaving 379,245 waiting to do so.

According to the statistics, Edo state’s registered voters are 1,370,061 males and 1,258,964 females.

Youths aged 18 to 35 accounted for 983,133 of the total voters, then followed by middle-aged people (36 to 49 years old), who accounted for 914,806 registered voters.

Due to the restricted movement on election days, INEC advises candidates on its official website to choose a polling unit close to their residence.

According to the INEC website (https://www.inecnigeria.org/?page_id=2526), the Edo State governorship election will take place in 4,978 polling units, rather than the previously reported 4,519.

In addition, the electoral empire stated that 44,687 polling and collation agents were accredited out of an expected 80,410 agents from political parties and 211 collation centres, which included 192 ward centres, 18 Local Government centres, and the State collation centre in Benin City.

Breakdown:

Akoko-Edo now has 240 polling units, up from 229 previously. Similarly, Egor has witnessed a large increase in polling locations, from 204 to 436, indicating more voting access.

Esan Central presently has 117 voting stations, down from the previous 144. Meanwhile, Esan North-East has expanded from 146 to 172 polling stations. Esan South-East rose from 145 to 160 polling units, whereas Esan West increased from 168 to 200 units.

Etsako Central increased its polling units from 97 to 104, while Etsako East increased from 123 to 166. Etsako West saw a significant increase from 197 to 322 polling units.

Igueben now has 95 polling stations, up from 71, and Ikpoba-Okha has more than doubled, going from 329 to 641. Oredo also increased its polling units from 393 to 619.

Orhionmwon expanded from 187 to 265 polling units, while Ovia North-East expanded from 180 to 292. Ovia South-West increased from 122 to 195 polling places, while Owan East increased from 121 to 189.

Owan West now has 151 polling units, up from 105, while Uhunmwonde has expanded somewhat from 132 to 154. After the changes, Edo State has a total of 4,978 polling units.

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