Yesterday, there was a by-election for local government positions in Edo State to fill empty council seats. It took place in 15 of the state’s 18 local government areas.
The Edo State Independent Electoral body (EDSIEC) ran the election, even though the High Court had already issued an ex parte ruling telling the body not to run the polls.
According to Channels TV, the order was given on Tuesday after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) asked the court for it.
EDSIEC then told its lawyers to file a motion on notice asking the court to lift the ex parte decision and let the by-election go ahead.
Even though there was a legal dispute, the election went forward as planned. It was meant to fill empty council seats in 59 wards in the affected local government regions.
A trip to a few polling places in the Benin metropolis showed that a lot of people were voting. People were lined up peacefully and were excited to cast their votes.
But at the time of the visit, no voters were willing to talk.
An EDSIEC official, who asked to remain nameless, said that the results of the election would be announced at the voting places instead of at the EDSIEC headquarters.
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