5 MAJOR challenges encountered in the Edo governorship election (photos)

As Nigerians await with bated breadth, the results of the governorship election held yesterday, September 28, in Edo state, complaints have been pouring in on the way and manner the election was executed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

Already, even before the final official announcement of the election results, supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have besieged the collation centre to demonstrate their frustration at INEC’s mis-handling of the exercise.

It is however important to note that challenges during the electioneering period is both fueled by the actions and in-actions of the political class and their supporters, security agencies and indeed INEC officials.

NAIJ.com lists 5 major challenges that have been witnessed in the election.

READ ALSO: #EdoDecides: INEC warns Nigerians on election results

Read below:

1. Financial inducement: Unfortunately, the political class are still in the business of bribing voters and inducing them to sell their votes. This was very visible in the Edo election, with photos of voters queuing up to collect their own share of the largesse. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state took it to another level of absurdity by proving a spot for free bean cake popularly called ‘Akara’ to the voters.

2. Violence: As it is always the case with elections in Nigeria, pockets of violence were recorded in the Edo polls. Despite the denial by INEC, several sources on ground in Edo stated that the election was fraught with violence. The candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Osaro Onaiwu, has called for the cancellation of the election based on the violence that characterised the exercise.

3. Ballot snatching: On election day, INEC National Commissioner, Solomon Soyebi, confirmed that there were pockets of ballot snatching, but quickly added that it was minimal compared to expectations. Mr Soyebi who spoke from the comfort of his office did not know the situation on ground as several reports cited cases of ballot snatching by supporters of both parties especially in their strongholds.

4. Ballot stuffing: According to reports, hoodlums snatched and stuffed ballot boxes and disrupted the governorship polls in some remote community in the northern parts of Edo state. The hoodlums also made away with a card reader at Ibilo in Akoko Edo area of the state and threatened to deal with some electorates who challenged them in the process.

5. Logistics: Again, the present leadership of INEC has displayed its incompetence in conducting an election. Elections that used to be a near-perfect exercise during the Jega era have suddenly become a mountain hill to climb for the present leadership of the electoral body. It remains to be seen when INEC can get it right considering where we are coming from.

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