Edo 2024: INEC Lists 2,629,025 Eligible Voters To Exercise Franchise

By Akinwale Kasali

As the September 21, 2024, Edo State Governorship Election approaches, electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated that only 2,629,025 voters are eligible to elect the New Governor of the State.

Prof  Rhoda Gumus, INEC’s Supervising National Commissioner for Edo, Delta and Cross River States, disclosed that aforementioned numbers are the only ones eligible to exercise their franchise at the poll.

Gumus presented the Voters Register

at the Commission’s  office in Benin, Edo State Capital, to the Chairmen and Representatives of the 16 participating Political Parties.

Gumus said: “In line with the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC must present the voter registers to the Chairmen of the political parties, not later than 30 days to the election. We are trying to obey the law, and carrying out the 10th of the 13 activities scheduled for the Edo Governorship Election.”

She stressed the need for a peaceful poll.

“Election should not be a do-or-die affair. If you do not win today, you may win tomorrow. Problems always erupt on election day. Politicians and their supporters in Edo State should eschew violence.

“INEC is ready for the governorship election in Edo State. We want the stakeholders to cooperate with the electoral commission to make the activities before, during and after the election to be seamless. I am giving an assurance that with the support of the security agencies, the election will be peaceful, free and fair.”

The supervising national commissioner also urged Edo residents and other Nigerians to be proud of their motherland, and never to allow tribe or tongue to divide them.

Anugbum Onuoha, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State reiterated that 2,501,081 voters were registered in the state for the 2023 general elections, while 173,048 persons were registered during the Continuous Voter Registration from May 27 to June 9, 2024, with 119,206 registrants, including the persons who transferred their PVCs, being valid, thereby bringing the total to 2,501,081 eligible voters.