Chaos has erupted in Unit 3, Ward 8 of Isiuwa, Ovia Northeast Local Government Area in the ongoing Edo governorship election as thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) violently disrupted the voting process.
The attack has sparked outrage among voters and election observers who were present at the scene.
According to eyewitness accounts, the thugs stormed the polling unit armed with weapons, causing panic among voters who were in line to cast their ballots.
The attackers reportedly destroyed voting materials and chased away voters, leaving the polling unit in disarray.
A voter at the scene, Mr. Amadin Osagie, said: “We were just trying to vote when a group of men arrived with sticks and machetes, shouting and scaring everyone.
“People started running for their lives, and the entire place was in chaos. They broke the ballot boxes and scattered everything. It’s clear they came to cause trouble because they saw they were losing.”
Another witness, Mrs. Jennifer Ehinmwen, said: “We came out to vote, but it seems they don’t want us to have a voice.
“These thugs were sent by APC to make sure we couldn’t vote. I had to hide with my children to avoid being hurt. How can this be an election when they’re using force to silence us?”
The violent disruption has caused voting to be temporarily suspended at the unit, with several voters reportedly injured during the chaos.
Electoral officials fled the scene as tensions escalated, leaving many ballots uncast.
There are growing fears that this could affect voter turnout in the area, especially as the attackers were seen targeting specific voters who were perceived to be supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC officials on the ground have expressed concern about the safety of both voters and electoral staff, and security reinforcements have been deployed to the area to restore order.
However, many voters who had earlier lined up to vote have vowed not to return, citing fears of further violence.