Edo LG elections: We can’t disqualify candidates, power lies with political parties – EDSIEC

BENIN CITY – The Chairman of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), Hon. Jonathan Aifuobokhan, has clarified that the commission does not have the authority to disqualify candidates in the upcoming local government elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday in Benin City ahead of the July 11 polls, Aifuobokhan said such decisions are the exclusive prerogative of political parties. The commission’s role, he explained, is limited to advising parties on areas where their candidates fail to comply with relevant laws.

He assured participants that the elections timetable released by EDSIEC aligns fully with both the commission’s guidelines for the 2026 Local Government Council elections and the provisions of the amended Electoral Act.

On calls to amend the schedule, Aifuobokhan said that delaying the elections beyond July 11 would amount to instituting a caretaker committee—an arrangement not recognised under local government election laws.

“As a commission, we are fully committed to our constitutional mandate and are putting in place necessary measures to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates,” he said.

“However, the success of any electoral process does not rest solely on the electoral body. It requires active participation, cooperation, and trust from all stakeholders, political actors, security agencies, community leaders, civil society organisations, the media, and indeed the electorates.”

The meeting drew key stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe; Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika; traditional rulers from all three senatorial districts; representative of the Commander, 4 Brigade Nigeria Army and the Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Fatai Enabulele, all of whom unanimously called for credible elections and fair competition for all candidates.