With past elections in Nigeria marred by violence, controversies, and logistical challenges, all eyes are on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and other security agencies as Edo State heads to the polls today for its 2024 governorship election.
The expectation is that these agencies will ensure a credible and peaceful process amidst concerns from political parties and civil society groups.
Frontline contenders
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo has accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) of leveraging federal power and police influence to gain an upper hand in the election.
The PDP has raised alarms over the arrest of its members across the state and called on the Inspector-General of Police to release those arrested and halt what it considers harassment of its supporters.
The party also demanded the redeployment of the Edo State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner due to their alleged ties to former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike.
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On the other hand, the APC has demanded the arrest of individuals involved in the killing of a police officer during the campaign period.
The party insists that those responsible are still walking free, even as it claims the police are arresting innocent individuals.
Yiaga Africa, an election monitoring group, has raised concerns about possible violence in eight Local Government Areas (LGAs), citing the tense political climate and economic hardship as contributing factors.
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The group also highlighted the likelihood of voter inducement and vote-buying.
INEC is under pressure to deliver a credible election, especially following criticism of its handling of past polls. Several off-cycle governorship elections in states like Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi in 2023 were marked by irregularities.
The commission has promised to conduct a transparent process, but questions remain about its ability to deploy materials on time, manage logistics, and ensure that votes are counted fairly.
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As voters in Edo cast their ballots, both INEC and the security forces must ensure that the election proceeds without incidents of violence, intimidation, or manipulation.
