•Recruits 10,000 Ad-hoc staff
Kingsley Abavo (Managing Editor), Benin
As the Local Government Council election holds tomorrow: Saturday, 11 July, 2026 in Edo State, the State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), has declared its readiness to deliver free, fair and credible elections.
Towards the actualisation of this declaration, the State electoral body said it has recruited and trained 10,000 Ad-hoc staff amongst other concluded arrangements, for the Saturday’s exercise.
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All the personnel possessed the competence and professionalism required for the successful conduct of the election, EDSIEC said.
Chairman of EDSIEC, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan disclosed this at a press briefing in Benin City, on Thursday, 9 July, 2026.
The commission has concluded all necessary preparations for the conduct of a free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive Local Government Election, Aifuobhokhan assured.
He added; that adequate work has been put in place to ensure every aspect of the electoral process conform with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Laws of Edo State, and internationally accepted democratic principles.
As all sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials have been produced, inspected, sorted, packaged and would be distributed according to established operational procedures.
Continuing, he disclosed that special arrangements have been made for materials to get to riverine and difficult-to-access communities.
This is to ensure; no eligible voter is disenfranchised because of geographical challenges, the Commission Chairman added.
Further, he said results of the election would be transmitted manually, while voting would hold between 8:30am and 2:30pm.
On Saturday, there will be restricted movement across the State from the hour of 6a.m to 6.30 p.m.
“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.”
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