Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, on Saturday, August 16, 2025, cast his ballot in the Edo Central Senatorial District by-election, even as he expressed concerns about the slow pace of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The governor arrived at Ward 2, Unit 1, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area at about 9:45 a.m. and underwent accreditation before voting at exactly 9:52 a.m.
Speaking with journalists shortly after exercising his franchise, Okpebholo commended the peaceful conduct of the election but faulted the BVAS machines for delaying the process.
“Well, I just voted. You can see the frustration. The BVAS is just too slow. It takes too long before you can get accredited. I think INEC needs to look into this. So far, so good, the feelers I’m getting are positive,” the governor said.
Also speaking at the same polling unit, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, who participated in the exercise, praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the orderly conduct of the by-election. She urged voters to come out in large numbers, cast their ballots, and protect the integrity of the process.
“This is my village, Udomi. So far, so good, the process has been smooth, and people are coming out to vote. This is a by-election to fill the space vacated by Governor Monday Okpebholo. Everything is going well. The agents are here, INEC is doing well. I urge voters to cast their votes and stay behind to defend them, as this is democracy in practice,” she said.
Earlier reports from other polling units across the senatorial district indicated that the exercise commenced peacefully, with a generally calm atmosphere observed in most locations.
