In a press statement made available to journalists in Benin City, the National Commissioner in charge of voters Education and Publicity, Soyebi Solomon said the decision to postpone the election was reached at a security meeting held with security agencies on Thursday evening.
He noted that the commission has successfully implemented 12 out of 14 conditions set for a successful election but however received official communication from the police and DSS drawing their attention on the need to postpone the election.
He said, “However at about 6pm today (yesterday) the commission received official communication from the police and DSS drawing its attention to the need to postpone the Edo governorship elections. Such postponement the communication indicates is necessary in view of threats of terrorists’ activities in Edo State and other states of the federation during the election and over the Sallah period.
“The deployment of security personnel country wide to secure lives and property would over stretched their capacity to at the same time provide adequate security for the election.
“Consequently the commission notes the request of the security agencies and considering the security implications of proceeding with the election the safety of eligible voters, electoral officials, including ad-hoc staff and other stakeholders has decided to reschedule the Edo governorship elections to Wednesday 28 September 2016.
“The commission enjoins all eligible voters in Edo State, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to be peaceful and law abiding.”
