Accreditation of voters in the Kogi Governorship election commenced at 8 a.m.in virtually all the polling units across the state following the arrival of electoral officials and materials as early as 7 a.m..
Correspondents who visited some of the polling units across the state reported that eligible voters were seen in queues ahead of the commencement of the accreditation process.
At Karaworo, Maigari palace, Augwan Tiv, Kabbawa and the New Layout in Lokoja, the state capital, NAN reports that the officials and election materials arrived well ahead of time.
Mr Abiodun Suleiman, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Polling Unit 16 in Lokoja, told NAN that he and other officials arrived the polling centres with the election materials at about 6:30 a.m.
He said the accreditation of 1,686 voters that would vote at the polling units began exactly at 8 a.m., saying that the card reading machines were working perfectly.
The turnout of voters was also impressive in most polling centres visited across the state while security personnel, including the police and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed in strategic locations.
At Lokoja Local Government/NEPA polling units on Murtala Mohammed Road, eligible voters were accredited using the card readers and the process was smooth.
Malam Isa Abdulrahman, an Assistant Presiding Officer in the area, told NAN that the exercise was peaceful, as adequate materials had been made available for the election.
At Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, the materials and officials also arrived polling centres as early as 7 a.m.
NAN correspondent in the area reports that electoral officials were also at their duty post ahead of the commencement of the accreditation stipulated by law.
At Ayeteju/Kajola,Odoakete-Bolorunduro,Odolu,Ayewa and Okekoko wards of Kabba,the electoral officials, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), were also on ground as early as 7: 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, enthusiastic voters, mostly elderly people, have thronged the various polling centres in Ayewa and Ayeteju/Kajowa ward in readiness for accreditation.
One of the electoral officials at Akefe unit, Mr. Dele Ogunyomi, said that they were fully prepared for the exercise, adding that they had been adequately trained to enable them discharge their responsibilities.
Thugs in police, army uniforms snatch ballot box at Anyigba PU
The INEC officials just announced that voting exercise will commence at PU 016 in Lokoja at 1:30 pm
Allegation! Ajetachi Polling Unit, Anyigba, there was an allegation that a political party came with some boys in police and army uniform to intimidate voters.
There was serious gunshots by the boys at the moments and the ballots box has been taken away.
APC is sure of victory – Leke, APC stalwart in Alu, Yagba-East LGA
APC’s hope of winning this election is high says James Faleke, the Deputy Governor candidate of the APC as he was accredited in Ekirin Adde.
Accreditation commenced in Idah and the card readers are working optimally.
Over 200 policemen stationed in Iyara yet to be deployed. Ijumu DPO said he’s still waiting for directive from higher authority before deploying them.
Early accreditation, arrival of INEC officials across the state, accreditation ongoing already at Oja Otun, polling 007 in Iyara, Headquarters of Ijumu LGA
Open Space Igbede, unit 002 accreditation halted as card reader failed to verify any voter card, said Presiding officer, Sarah Eludioram.
Accreditation smooth in all the wards in Mopamuro Local Government Area. Generally, the card readers are working fine. But the INEC officials are having challenges with power. Takete Ide/Otafun Ward is having poor security arrangement, giving room for tension as the Ward is one of the flashlights.
-NAN
