Despite a court order restraining the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) from conducting the councillorship elections in approximately 59 wards, the exercise is currently underway across the state.
Reports indicate that the process, which is progressing smoothly, is characterised by low turnout, with only the incumbent political party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), participating in the exercise.
The accreditation process commenced as scheduled, while voting is now ongoing.
However, reports from across the state reflect a similar pattern, with turnout characterised by very low participation.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Tony Aziegbemi, explained the party’s boycott, stating that there was no way they could associate themselves with such illegality.
“You will recall that a competent court stopped the conduct of the election because the tenure of the counsellors will expire next year.
“The APC, because they are used to not respecting the laws of the land, declared sitting counsellors’ seats vacant and went ahead to conduct a by-election. Are we in a banana republic? It is very sad that our democracy has been reduced.”
The Edo State Electoral Commission had earlier stated that the restraining order of the court could not stop the body from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
