A civil society organisation, Yiaga Africa, on Thursday identified 8 local government areas of Edo State as flashpoints for violence in the Saturday September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state, urging security agencies to ensure adequate deployment of personnel.
The group listed the LGAs as Ikpoba/Okha, Oredo, Egor, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Esan South East, Etsako West and Etsako East Local Government Areas of the state.
Yiaga addressing a pre-election press conference in Benin City on Thursday, Yiaga noted that the issue vote buying must be addressed by ensuring vote buyers and sellers are not only arrested but also prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
The Chairman of the 2024 Edo Election Mission for Yiaga Africa, Dr. Aisha Abdulllahi flanked by the Executive Director, Yiaga, Samson Itodo and other election stakeholders, however commended the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the election just as it urged all parties and candidates to honour the commitments to the Peace Accord.
Dr Abdulllahi told journalists in a speech titled: “A Barometer for Measuring Commitment to Electoral Integrity” that Yiaga Africa notes the tense and volatile political climate for the election.
“The campaign period was signpost with strong-arm tactics and violence. The activities of cult groups and political thugs intensified amidst employed violence and intimidation to suppress in specific units and LGA’s.
“Additionally, armed groups and political thugs may disrupt INEC’s deployment of elections. Yiaga Africa has identified eight (8) LGA’s as hotspot for violence. They include, Ikpoba Okha, Oredo, Egor, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Esan South East, Etsako West and Etsako East.
“The volatile security environment in these LGA’s necessitates a strategic and neutral deployment of security forces.”
On voting buying, the group noted, “Yiaga Africa observed multiple instances of voters’ inducement during the Pre-election campaign period in Edo State. Political parties and politicians continue to distribute cash, gifts and food items to entice voters.
“This practice of voters’ inducement undermines the integrity of the electoral process, as they can distort the free will of the electorate and compromise the democratic principle of free and fair elections. Yiaga Africa is concerned that this practice may extend to election day, turning the polling units to the epicentres of vote buying.
Yiaga further added, “While the high rate of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) collection indicates a willingness among the electorate to participate, several factors may contribute to continued low turnout. Concerns over political violence, economic hardship, and a deep seated lack of confidence in the electoral process could deter voters from voting”.