TELL Magazine

For fear of insecurity and voters’ disenfranchisement, Edo State government has moved the date for local government election from the earlier scheduled January 19, 2023 to May 6.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Administrative Secretary of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, (EDSIEC) Sunday Osayande said the new date was informed by fear of threat to peace and security in the state.

Osayande explained that some electorate might be disenfranchised by the anticipated insecurity if the Commission was unable to get updated Voters’ Register from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The statement reads in part:

“This is to inform members of the general public and all the Eighteen Registered Political Parties in Edo State that the Board of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, at its meeting held today (Thursday) resolved to shift the date earlier fixed for the Local Government Elections from January 19 to May 6, 2023

“This decision is sequel to the fear by the Commission of threat to peace and security as there is perceived apprehension that many electorates will be disenfranchised if the Commission is not able to get an updated Voters Register from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as what has been released to the commission so far is the register used in the 2019 General Election by INEC”.