Voters in Edo State are heading for the poll tomorrow, to elect the person who would take office on November 11, when a new governorship tenure kicks in. Of the state’s population estimated at about 4.8million people, some 2.2million are eligible to exercise their franchise in this election – being the number of those who picked up their permanent voter cards from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), out of 2,629,025 people registered as voters. INEC said a couple of days ago that 379,245 had not collected their voter cards.

Saturday’s election, which is one of the two off-cycle polls remaining for the electoral body to conduct this year, will hold in 4,519 polling units across 192 electoral wards in Edo State’s 18 local government areas. Seventeen political parties will be fielding candidates for the poll. But public electioneering that lasted from late in April till last midnight showed up a three horse race involving candidates Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asue Ighodalo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of Labour Party (LP).

Security conditions in the electoral environment have been a major issue that hobbles this poll. In the months leading up to the election, the electoral umpire repeatedly affirmed its readiness to ensure a free, far and credible poll but raised security concerns over the charged political atmosphere. At a stakeholder meeting in Benin, the state capital, last week, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu admonished the gladiators to eschew political intolerance and acts that could jeopardise the electoral process. He told them: “You should continue to restrain your supporters from violence and other disruptive conduct,” adding: “The best way to do so is by the personal example you set as political parties and candidates, both in your campaign speeches and action.”

Even now that campaigns are over, the same creed is expected to guide election day and post-election conduct by political actors. It is an indication of the overly charged polling atmosphere that the Nigeria Police said it would be deploying 35,000 operatives for this election, to be complemented by 8,000 personnel from other security agencies. Speaking at the stakeholder meeting in the Edo State capital last week, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun pledged that the personnel to be deployed will be professionally comported. He said: “We understand the vital role we have to play in the election and we pledge to safeguard the process, including INEC materials to be used for the election. We have the mandate to provide a conducive environment, and our approach is grounded in professionalism.”

The police boss mentioned that movement restriction from 6a.m. to 6p.m. on election day would be strictly enforced and assured the people of security of the process, urging them to come out and vote with the confidence that their safety was guaranteed. He warned against political thuggery and violence, saying the police would deal with anyone found wanting. “It is in this regard that I direct all local security outfits in the state to refrain from interfering in election matters,” Egbetokun said as he suspended the activities of the Edo State Security Network “till further notice.” According to him, police personnel have been trained sufficiently to carry out their duties without bias.

It Is a shame that the Nigerian polling environment is so insecure as to warrant posting 43,000security operatives on duty for election in a setting that is only 17,802km2 (6,873 sq. ml) in land area. But that is the reality we face because of desperation by political actors that makes elections wars by another name. It is also the reason that the socio-economy has to be shut down with the no-movement rule anywhere an election is being held in our clime, unlike in more civilised societies where routine life goes on simultaneously with elections being conducted.

Electoral wins are pursued by many Nigerian political actors by hook or crook apparently because of the winner-takes-all nature of those wins. Besides, there are few countries where political offices are more rewarding to individual power elite than in Nigeria. The desperation driving behaviour by political actors and their supporters, which makes the electoral environment insecure, needs to be reined in and kept in check by political parties and their candidates. Edo’s political actors should lead the way and ensure civility and decorum during polling tomorrow.

Part of the challenge, obviously, is absence of requisite level of trust in INEC. The electoral body has done a great deal already to show itself an impartial umpire, but there is room to do more in the Edo State election to boost the confidence of political actors. So must the police and other security personnel deployed on election duty be well comported in line with assurances given by the IGP. (The Nation Editorial)