Voters in Edo State, Southern Nigeria, have gone to the polls as legislative by-elections commence. The elections come amid high anticipation and intense political activity across the state.

The elections will provide replacements for Edo Central Senatorial seat and Northeast and Ovia Southwest Federal constituency.

Our correspondent reports that voting commenced as early as 8:00am local time in Ovia Northeast polling unit 002 and 004.

Voters could be seen trickling into Eresonye primary school, Oluku where unit 002 is located to cast their votes.

Hitherto, Edo Central Senatorial seat was occupied by the incumbent governor of the state, Monday Okpebolor while Ovia Northeast Federal constituency was Dennis Idahosa, who is now the deputy governor.

The two major contenders for the House of Representatives seat are Omosede Igbinedion of the All Progressives Congress and John Aikpitanyi of the People’s Democratic Party.

Confidence Okwuchi

Polls have officially opened in the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency bye-election and voters troop out to elect a new representative for the house of Representatives.

The Independent Electoral Commission, INEC confirmed that accreditation and voting commenced at 8:30am local time across polling units in the constituency.

Electoral official arrived early at several centres with materials already distributed to ensure a smooth electoral process.

VON’S Correspondent who visited some polling units described the turnout of voters in some wards as encouraging, with voters seen on queues as early as 7:30 am local time, determined to exercise their civic rights.

Security operatives are on ground to maintain law and order.

INEC has reminded eligible voters that the electoral process would continue until 2:30pm Local time, after which only people on the queue will be allowed to cast their ballot.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had announced Saturday, August 16 date for the exercise to fill vacant seats that arose following the resignation or death of serving members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

Similarly, the court-ordered re-run election in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Anambra State and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State will be held simultaneously with the bye-elections.

In Ogun State, the two front runners in this election, are Princess Adesola Elegbeji of the All Progressive Congress, APC and Mr. Bolarinwa Oluwole of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

The position became vacant following the death of Adewunmi Onanuga, who represents Ikenne, Sagamu and Remo North in Federal House of Assembly in Abuja.

Onanuga, an APC lawmaker, who was then the Deputy Chief Whip in the Federal House of Representatives, died on January 15, 2025 after brief illness.

Counting of votes will begin immediately after the close of polls at each polling unit.

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has reiterated his earlier directives on the deployment of operational logistics to the affected States and Local Government Areas where by-election would hold.

He said the deployment would provide an enabling environment for a free and fair by-elections.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Force Public Relation officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP Muyiwa Adejobi.

The statement read that the affected states include Anambra, Kano, Oyo, Taraba, Enugu, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kano, Ogun, Zamfara, and Niger States.

DCP Adejobi said the IGP has directed the deployment of senior officers of the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to assist State Commissioners of Police to ensure proper supervision over the electoral process for a smooth and hitch free election.

While officers and men of the Police Mobile Force, Special Intervention Squad, Force Intelligence Department and other tactical units have equally been deployed.

The IGP has also ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm on election day within affected Local Government Areas.

He said the directive was for all except those on essential services including INEC Officials, Accredited Media and Electoral Observers, Ambulances responding to medical emergencies, and firefighters.

Similarly, the IGP reiterates the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

The statement revealed that State-established and owned security outfits/organisations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guards and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.

The Inspector General of Police hereby charges all officers deployed for this special duty to ensure compliance with NPF standard operational protocols for elections.

He urged all citizens to be law abiding during and after the elections and assured that all necessary security arrangements have been emplaced to ensure their right to vote was unobstructed.

Confidence Okwuchi