The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) on Saturday conducted by-elections to fill vacant councillorship seats across 15 of the 18 local government areas in the state.
The polls went ahead despite an ex parte order issued by the High Court earlier in the week, restraining EDSIEC from holding the elections. The order was secured on Tuesday following an application filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Reacting to the development, the electoral body said it had directed its legal team to file a motion on notice to vacate the restraining order and ensure the elections proceeded as scheduled.
The exercise was conducted to fill vacant councillorship seats in 59 wards across the affected councils. A check at several polling stations in Benin metropolis showed a relatively good turnout of voters, who were seen queuing peacefully and eager to cast their ballots.
While voters declined to make public comments at the time of the visit, an EDSIEC official, who preferred not to be named, confirmed that the results of the election would be announced at the respective polling units rather than at the commission’s headquarters.