The Edo Governorship election, which holds today after an 18 days postponement, kicked off on a high note as reports indicate an enthusiastic voter turnout.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had directed that accreditation and voting will take place simultaneously.

In many polling units visited by journalists, the process had begun and voters were seen peacefully carrying out their civic responsibilities.

Various security agencies were reportedly on ground to maintain law and order.

Nineteen candidates are running for the governorship post but the main contest will be between Godwin Obaseki of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Tracy Agol of the Peoples’ Party of Nigeria, PPN,  is the only female contestant in the race.

However, seven political parties have women as their deputy governorship candidates.

According to statistics by INEC, Edo State has a total of 1,925,105 registered voters; 192 Registration Areas; 2,627 Polling Units and 4,011 Voting Points.

The Nigerian police had deployed 25,000 police officers to the state to ensure peace and security during the polls.

A total of 44 groups comprising of government agencies, international and local Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs and civil society organizations, were accredited by INEC as election observers.