The police on Tuesday embarked on a show of force around Benin City, the Edo State capital, as a way of deterring trouble makers.
But the activity resulted in the delay in the distribution of electoral materials, following the late arrival of some of the personnel who were supposed to be involved in monitoring the distribution of materials.
The process demanded that all stakeholders, particularly the police, be fully represented before its commencement.
PREMIUM TIMES’ correspondent observed the distribution of materials was still ongoing at about 8.30 p.m. and the exercise would likely span into the midnight.
Speaking on the delay, the Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, Oshiobugie Bonvist, told PREMIUM TIMES that the process of distribution of electoral materials still went on smoothly.
According to him, all the political parties were represented at the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and described the process as transparent.
But he blamed the delay on the arrival of police personnel who arrived late after their road show.
“The process is transparent as you can see, every person is here at INEC and the materials are being distributed,” Mr. Bonvist said.
On allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party that the materials were being manipulated to rig the election, Mr. Bonvist said he was yet to notice any move to tamper with the materials.
He said all the political parties participating in the election were monitoring the process which was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.
Source: PM
