Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC says has extended the accreditation/voting in polling units that have been opened late due to untimely arrival of sensitive materials and personnel. INEC has slated 8am – 2pm for accreditation/ voting.
Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education and Publicity Committee while briefing journalists on the Election Monitoring Support Centre, EMSC report on opening of polls between 8am – 12 noon for the ongoing Presidential and National Assembly elections nationwide.
Okoye explained that the extension would be based on the number of hours that materials and personnel arrived late in affected polling units.
He said the challenges leading to the delay of opening time and possible extension were security related while some relate to the issue of late arrival of the members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers saddled with the responsibility of movement of personnel and materials.
The report indicated that Katsina, Kebbi, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states recorded 100% opening of polls between 8am and 12 noon, Niger 99.4%, Edo 97% Kwara 96%, Cross River 93%, Benue and Kogi 91% and Anambara 90%.
According to report, Ogun recorded 74%, FCT 73%, Taraba and Yobe 69%, Jigawa 68%, Lagos and Akwa Ibom 64%, Gombe 62%, Enugu 61%, Nasarawa 58%, Kaduna 57%, Bauchi 49.3%, Zamfara 41%, Plateau 40%, Ebonyi 35.5%, Borno and Oyo 35%, Adamawa 34%, Sokoto 33%, Delta 32%, Bayelsa 29%, Abia 20% and Rivers 0%(no report).
James Kwen, Abuja
