The Edo Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) says 12 political parties successfully completed the nomination process for the Edo local government election scheduled for July 11.

The commission also said that it has published the final list of candidates.

EDSIEC Chairman, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, stated this on Wednesday in an interview with journalists in Benin.

“The parties include All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).

“Others are the Young Progressive Party (YPP), New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Action Congress (AAC), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Action Alliance (AA).”

He said that EDSIEC is fully prepared to conduct the July 11 local government elections, with logistics and operational plans already in place.

Mr Aifuobhokhan noted that the commission is about 80 per cent ready for the exercise across all 18 local government areas of the state.

“Concerning preparedness, we are fully on track. Everything is about 80 per cent in place. We are just waiting for the day to come.

“There is nothing we need that we don’t have in place,” he said.

He added that the commission has been holding grassroots town hall meetings, stakeholder sensitisation, and training sessions for ad hoc and permanent staff.

“About 10,000 ad hoc staff are expected to participate in the poll,” he added.

Responding to claims by the African Democratic Party that it did not receive notice of the election, the chairman described the allegation as an error.

He said EDSIEC gave notice of the election on July 16, 2025, and has since carried out media publications and stakeholder meetings.

“They cannot claim ignorance unless they don’t live in the state. The period for primaries has long gone, the period for substitution of candidates has long gone, and campaigns started on April 24.

“We sent notification to all existing political parties in Edo, and the hall was filled,” Mr Aifuobhokhan said.

On security, he said the commission has engaged security agencies and the state government to ensure the safety of voters and election materials.

He noted that security can never be absolutely guaranteed.

He said that the commissioner of police assured EDSIEC of adequate protection before, during, and after the elections.

“Ultimate security belongs to God,” he stated, adding that the state government is putting security structures in place everywhere.

Mr Aifuobhokhan urged political parties and candidates to run issue-based campaigns and maintain peace.

He also confirmed that arrangements for media accreditation, observers, and monitors have been made, and interested parties should contact the commission’s media unit.

The chairman reaffirmed EDSIEC’s commitment to delivering free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections. 

(NAN)