As the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections get underway, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC,Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu says the Commission is tracking states having issues with casting their ballots
At a press briefing on Saturday, Yakubu said that INEC is not unaware of problems of late arrival of materials and failure of BVAS in some polling units in some parts of the country assuring that as long as voters queue at polling units before 2:30 pm,( close of polls), they would be allowed to vote..
He cited challenges in some local government areas of Abia State, Four local government areas of Imo – Orlu,Orsu,Okigwe and Oguta as well as Maiduguri and Jere in Borno State adding that the Commission would ensure that no one is disenfranchised.
Earlier, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC,Mr Kashim Shettima had gone to his polling unit to exercise his franchise but reportedly left angrily when he could not see INEC officials around.
In Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his wife, Justice Suzette Wike stood among an enthusiastic mamoth crowd of voters in his polling unit at Obio) Akpor Local Government Area but could not vote immediately because INEC officials had yet arrived at about 11 .
However, reports in Osun indicate that the voting process there is seamless except for some cases of Voter population with less BVAS. Ede North, Unit 5 Ward 4,there are 2,450 voters using two BVAS. This caused delay and protest.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner,Dr Mutiu Agboke later appealed for patience and assured them that everyone on queue will vote.
more updates later……
