Will Edo governorship candidates sign peace accord?

As the Edo gubernatorial elections draw near, the spotlight is on the peace accord signing ceremony that is expected to take place today, leading up to the September 21 governorship election. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by three days, from this Friday to Sunday, September 15th. Samson Itodo, Executive Director at Yiaga Africa, shared his insights on the challenges facing the electoral process in Edo State. Itodo highlighted three key intricacies that have emerged in the lead-up to the elections. Firstly, the volatile electoral environment in which the election is being conducted, with reports of pre-election violence, attacks on political opponents, and incendiary rhetoric by political stakeholders. This has raised concerns about the potential for a showdown on September 21st. Secondly, the peace accord signing ceremony faced initial resistance from some candidates, with the incumbent governor raising concerns about police intimidation and expressing lack of confidence in the process. Lastly, Itodo emphasized the importance of transparency and impartiality by INEC to ensure credible elections and inspire voter confidence. However, voter apathy remains a looming challenge in this election cycle. Itodo pointed to various factors contributing to low voter turnout, including economic concerns, violent rhetoric, and security challenges. He noted historical data showing a decline in voter turnout in the last governorship election, reflecting a global trend of decreasing trust in the electoral process. Despite efforts by INEC to rebuild public confidence, the burden remains high due to lingering skepticism following previous elections. As the conversation shifted to the use of technology in elections, particularly the deployment of biometric voter accreditation machines (BVAs), Itodo expressed cautious optimism. While BVAs have been successfully used in past elections, concerns about integrity and possible malfunctions persist. Cases of BVAs bypassing in previous elections and pre-filled result sheets have raised doubts about the credibility of the electoral process. Itodo emphasized the need for rigorous oversight and adherence to electoral guidelines to prevent any compromise of the election integrity. Overall, the Edo governorship elections face significant challenges that cast a shadow over the electoral process. Stakeholders must work together to address issues of violence, transparency, voter apathy, and technological integrity to ensure a free, fair, and credible election on September 21st.