With less than two weeks remaining before the off-cycle Edo State governorship election, residents across the State have expressed their readiness to cast their votes on September 21, 2024.
As the window for the collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) closes on Saturday, many Edolites are gearing up to participate actively in the electoral process.
In interviews conducted by our reporter on Saturday, several residents voiced their commitment to voting for the candidate they believe will bring good governance and progress to Edo State.
Despite the economic challenges facing the nation, these voters are determined to ensure that their votes count.
Roseline Amadasun, a trader at Uselu Market, shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming election. “Of course, I will vote during the governorship election. I have my PVC already with me and will mobilise my friends and family to vote for our candidate”, she said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Gabriel Okosun, another resident, confirmed that he had successfully transferred his PVC from Benue to Edo and was prepared to cast his vote on election day. “I’m all set to vote for the candidate of my choice”, Okosun said confidently.
Despite concerns about the security situation in the State, Mr. Osasere Igbinoba, a teacher, emphasised that the instances of violence reported in some areas would not deter him and others from voting. He urged security agencies to strengthen their efforts in ensuring a peaceful election.
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“I want to use this opportunity to call on the government to equip the police to enable them to provide adequate security on election day and beyond”, Igbinoba stated.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), responsible for overseeing the elections, has reiterated its commitment to conducting a credible, free, and fair election.
In a statement shared on its X handle, INEC encouraged registered voters to collect their PVCs, as it is the only way to participate in the election.
The commission also provided a list of centres where PVCs could be collected, with distribution taking place at the 192 Wards across Edo State from August 22 to August 26, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm daily, including weekends.
After this period, voters will still have the opportunity to collect their PVCs at INEC’s local government offices across the State until September 8, 2024.
The commission reported that a total of 184,438 voters were registered during the recently concluded Continuous Voters Registration exercise in Edo State, which included 119,206 new registrations, 8,847 inter-state transfers, and 46,171 intra-state transfers.
As the countdown to the 2024 Edo governorship election continues, the people of Edo State are making it clear that they are ready to play their part in shaping the future of their State.