Jethro Ibileke/Benin
The Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Sam Olumekun, has confirmed that only nine of the 20 “active” political parties in the State have so far indicated interest to field candidates for the September 10 governorship election.
This is even as he announced that about 490,000 Permanent Voter Cards are yet to be collected by registered voters in the State, to enable them exercise their constitutional rights during the governorship election.
Olumekun who disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Benin, however did not disclose the names of the political parties.
He explained that, in line with the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), INEC was bound to accept whoever was presented by each of the registered political political parties as their respective candidates for the election.
According Mr. Olumekun, the unclaimed PVCs represents 30 percent of the total number of registered voters, which currently stands at 1.7 million.
He said the Continuous Voters Registration would begin from June 22 to June 26 at designated centres in the state, adding that the distribution of old PVCs would also be carried out within the period.
The REC said that the Commission was faced with the challenge of securing the lives and property of the citizens during the election and therefore collaborate with relevant security agencies to make the polls peaceful.
Olumekun who frowned at those who sponsor violence during elections, said: “These patrons insist that the only possible outcome of election is winning and prepare for elections in a manner reminiscent of preparations for war. This mindset has to change.”
He disclosed that the commission would employ the use of the card reader in order to reduce the number of “ghost voters” and persons who indulge in multiple voting, assuring that the results of the Edo election would be collated electronically from the the polling units.
”In 2011, when we used the temporary voters card for the general election, the number that voted in the presidential election was 39,469,484 whereas in 2015 election, the corresponding number was 29,432,083, a difference of more than 10 million; the figure went down by more than 25 per cent. How could over ten million voters disappear between 2011 and 2015?
“The card reader had evidently helped to screen off fake voters and, thus, a resolution of a major election conundrum. Thus, with the use of the card reader technology in 2015, the presidential election was more competitive as the margin of defeat narrowed.
“In summary, the smart card readers contributed to the huge success of the 2015 elections and it will be used for the Edo Governorship election on September 10, 2016,” the REC said.