There were low turnouts of voters in yesterday’s by-election in 59 wards in 15 local government areas of Edo State.

Only the All Progressives Congress (APC) participated in the by-election which other parties boycotted.

Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) conducted the by-elections despite a restraining order by an Edo High Court presided over by Justice Mary Itsueli.

Justice Itsueli issued the order following a motion filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP had argued that tenure of elected councillors remained valid until September 2026 and that any attempt to declare the seats vacant or conduct elections would be illegal.

Justice Itsueli held that the PDP presented sufficient grounds to warrant judicial intervention and granted the party leave to pursue judicial review and ordered that all further steps towards conducting the proposed bye-elections be suspended.

But EDSIEC ignored the court order and conducted the by-election.

Few voters were seen in many pooling units visited even as there were delays in the arrival of materials.

At Asoro Primary School in Oredo Ward 9, journalists were assaulted after talking to voters present.

But some thugs descended on the journalists and accused them of working for the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP)

Phones were seized by the thugs and all pictures about the election coverage were deleted. (The Nation)