The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) on Thursday said it has recruited and trained 10,000 ad hoc staff for Saturday’s local government elections.

 

Chairman of EDSIEC, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Benin, said all the personnel possessed the competence and professionalism required for the successful conduct of the election.

 

He assured the electorate in the state that the commission has concluded all necessary preparations for the conduct of a free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive Local Government Election.

 

Aifuobhokhan said adequate work was put in place to ensure every aspect of the electoral process complied with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Laws of Edo State, and internationally accepted democratic principles.

 

The EDSIEC boss stated that all sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials have been produced, inspected, sorted, packaged and would be distributed according to established operational procedures.

 

He said special arrangements have been made for materials to get to riverine and difficult-to-access communities with a view to ensuring no eligible voter was disenfranchised because of geographical challenges.

 

Aifuobhokhan said results of the election would be transmitted manually, saying voting would hold between 8:30am and 2:30pm.

 

He said: “Election materials will be allocated to all Local Government Offices of the Commission and have been properly arranged according to Wards and Polling Units for seamless deployment.

 

“Distribution schedules have been carefully developed to ensure timely delivery of materials to every Polling Unit before the commencement of accreditation and voting

 

“Our logistics are ready. Our transportation arrangements are complete. Election personnel have been adequately trained. Electoral materials have been deployed. Security coordination has been concluded. Communication systems are operational.

 

“Every Local Government Area, every Ward and every Polling Unit is ready. The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission has fulfilled its constitutional responsibility by putting in place every necessary arrangement for the successful conduct of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

 

“The Commission therefore assures all citizens that we are fully prepared to conduct elections that will reflect the genuine will of the people.”