The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the residents of Edo State to come out in large numbers and cast their votes in the upcoming governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
The party urged voters to resist any attempts to disrupt or manipulate the election, warning that such actions should be treated as criminal offenses.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, PDP accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to deploy fake security personnel in a bid to interfere with the voting process.
The party claimed that these individuals, allegedly brought in from Imo and Kogi states, would be disguised as police or military officers to cause chaos, snatch ballot boxes, and intimidate voters.
They further urged law enforcement and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue special identification badges to all official security personnel at polling stations to prevent imposters from infiltrating the process. The party stressed that it remains committed to peace but vowed to defend democracy by all legal means.
The PDP also warned that any attempts by APC members to incite violence or disrupt the election would face consequences from both the public and the law.
Calling on INEC to safeguard the credibility of the election, the PDP demanded timely delivery of sensitive materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, to the correct polling units. The party also directed its polling agents to be vigilant in ensuring that election equipment, such as the BVAS, is not tampered with before accreditation and voting.