By Osahon Osahon
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 15 political parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will contest the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.
Edo INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Johnson Alalibo Samikiem, disclosed on Thursday in Benin, the state capital.
Samikiem, who spoke at the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium while monitoring the PDP’s governorship primary election, assured that the commission was prepared to conduct a free, fair and credible election in the state.
He the Commission has no challenges in preparation for the governorship election in the shortest time he was posted to the state.
He said: “INEC is fully prepared to conduct a free and credible election in the state. To this regard, we have 15 political parties who have registered with us to participate in the forth-coming governorship election in the state.”
ALSO READ: Edo 2020: Obaseki Emerges PDP Candidate After Withdrawal Of Aspirants
Commenting on the primary of the PDP, Samikiem expressed satisfaction with the conduct, noting that it complied with the electoral law as regards Covid-19 regulations act.
He said INEC is empowered by the law to monitor any election in the state, hence his attendance in the primary.
“So far, so good, I am impressed with the conduct of the election, particularly its compliance with the electoral laws as regards the Covid-19 regulations.
“INEC is empowered by the law to monitor any election in the country, and that is why I’m here,” he added.
