Edo IDPs Demand Polling Unit for Safe Voting Access

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Edo State are advocating for the creation of a polling unit within their camp, which houses approximately 4,000 individuals displaced by insurgency in the northeast region of Nigeria. The appeal follows incidents during the 2023 elections where thugs disrupted voting at the Erosany Primary School, causing injuries among residents.

Evelyn Omigi, the camp matron, emphasized the necessity of a dedicated polling unit to allow residents to exercise their franchise without fear of harassment or intimidation. Philimon echoed these concerns, highlighting the urgent need for security to ensure safe voting.

Obo Effanga, from the Edo State Resident Electoral Commission, explained that establishing a new polling unit involves a lengthy administrative process and that INEC allocates units based on official voter data. He clarified that while new polling units cannot be created directly inside the camp, efforts are being made to facilitate voter registration and access to existing polling locations.