The people of Bayelsa State will go to the polls today to elect their next governor from among 16 candidates vying for the seat.
The incumbent, Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is facing a stiff challenge from Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Eradiyi Udengmobofa of the Labour Party, among others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 1,017,613 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots in 2,242 polling units across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa state.
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The voting will commence at 8.30 a.m. and end at 2.30 p.m., or when the last voter in line finishes voting.
According to INEC, the majority of the voters are youth, as 42 percent of them are aged between 18 and 34, while 40 percent are aged between 35 and 49.
The elderly voters aged 50 and above constitute 18 percent of the total registered voters. The commission also said that 880 people living with disabilities have registered to vote in the election.
INEC has deployed a total of 9,315 election officials, including one returning officer, eight LGA collation officers and LGA supervisors each, 105 registration area collation officers, 225 supervisory presiding officers, 2,244 presiding officers, 6,732 assistant presiding officers, and one consultancy supervisor.
The commission has also accredited 118 domestic and eight foreign election observers to monitor the conduct of the election in Bayelsa state.
The commission has assured the public that it will conduct a free, fair and credible election in which the will of the people will prevail. The security agencies have also promised to provide a safe and peaceful environment for the election. The candidates and their supporters have been urged to abide by the rules and regulations of the election and avoid any act of violence or malpractice.