A robust contingent of security operatives has been deployed to the Edo State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the collation of results from Saturday’s governorship election commences.

Emerging reports have indicated that the Nigerian Army has set up roadblocks 500 meters from the INEC office, effectively closing off all routes to vehicular movement.

Only accredited individuals are permitted access, and they are subjected to thorough screenings conducted by both police and military personnel stationed at the venue.

The heightened security measures come in the wake of a tense election period, with INEC announcing on Saturday that the collation of results from the state’s 18 local governments would begin at 10 am on Sunday.

Tensions have escalated in the region, with notable figures expressing concerns over the integrity of the electoral process. INEC has warned political actors, including Governor Godwin Obaseki, to refrain from any actions that could disrupt the collation process.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on INEC to ensure a transparent and orderly collation of the results, as stakeholders eagerly await the official outcomes of the election.