The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission has presented Certificates of Return to councillorship candidates who won Saturday’s by-elections, despite a subsisting court order asking the commission to halt the polls.
The certificates were issued on Monday at EDSIEC headquarters on Airport Road, Benin City. Ovuchor Suleiman, who represented EDSIEC Chairman Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, handed them to the winners.
While some candidates were present to collect their certificates, others were absent.
The by-elections, which were boycotted by major opposition parties, saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) claim all 59 councillorship seats across 15 local government areas. The ruling party was the only participant in the polls.
EDSIEC had earlier defended its decision to proceed with the exercise, despite an ex parte order of the High Court. In a September 19 statement, the commission said it had filed a motion to challenge the order and insisted the election would go on.
With Monday’s presentation, the commission declared the process concluded.
