Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday expressed satisfaction with voter turnout and the peaceful conduct of the Edo local government election after casting their ballots in Benin, the state capital.

Voting commenced at about 9:00 a.m. at Ward 7, Polling Unit 42, New Benin, where the Edo APC secretary, Lawrence Okah, voted.

The polling unit recorded a large voter turnout, with many waiting patiently to cast their ballots in an orderly atmosphere.

Mr Okah, who spoke to journalists after casting his vote, dismissed claims that the election at his polling unit started late.

He said electoral officials arrived early and voting commenced once a sizeable number of voters had gathered.

“We started on time. The officials were here early, and when the crowd became sizeable, we began the process. As you can see, the turnout is impressive.

“People came out because they believe in the process, and everything is going smoothly. I am confident they will vote for the APC,” he said.

At Ward 7, Polling Unit 20, Edokpolor, the APC chairmanship candidate, Gabriel Edusei, also commended the turnout after casting his vote.

Mr Edusei described the voter participation as encouraging, saying it surpassed what he had witnessed in previous elections.

He attributed the turnout to what he described as the APC-led administration’s performance in Edo and expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious.

The chairmanship candidate also noted the presence of agents of other political parties at the polling unit, describing it as an indication of transparency in the electoral process. 

(NAN)