INEC has extended voting time in areas where the Edo governorship election commenced behind schedule.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Citing logistical problems and other considerations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting time in areas where the Edo governorship election commenced behind schedule.
INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, announced the extension in a statement on Saturday, saying the consideration is on those areas affected by inevitable reasons.
He said: “The Commission continues to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Edo State from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja.
“Our monitoring indicates early commencement of polls in many Polling Units, but there are also reports of late commencement in some locations.
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“To ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, the Commission wishes to reiterate that, in line with our Regulations and Guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last voter on the queue who arrived at the Polling Unit by 2.30pm has voted.
“Accordingly, we have drawn the attention of our office in Edo State to ensure that, where necessary, there is adequate power supply from our back-up electric generators in the affected Polling Units or Ward Collation Centres.”
There were earlier reports of rainfall and some logistics affecting commencement of voting in some parts of the state.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election, Asue Ighodalo had frowned at the late arrival of officials of INEC and election materials to his polling unit.
TheNiche had earlier reported that INEC officials and materials arrived at Ighodalo’s Okaegben ward one, unit 3 in Ewohimi, late on election day.
Speaking about the development after he arrived at the voting centre at 10:30 a.m, Ighodalo said it would only be fair if the voting hours are extended by the numbers of hours lost.
He said, “As you can see, INEC officials and materials just arrived and they are well over two hours late.
“Well, we are still well around the allocated time for voting; let us see what we can achieve between now and close of voting hours.”
