Vote Counting Updates: Here Are The Problem Areas

By Cami Ezenwa

The Eagle in this report, continues its vote counting updates, following up on the problem areas identified in the course of yesterday’s election.

This is despite the generally acknowledged peaceful process of the election.

Whereas some of the problems at some centres were mechanical like malfunctioning of equipment, in some locations it was human, like disruptions.

Heavy downpour disrupts process in Edo

A heavy rainfall on Saturday slowed down electoral activities in many parts of Edo, beginning from about 3 p.m.

Areas affected included Benin, Afuze, Sabo Ora and Uben in Owan West Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police on Election Duty in Edo, Mr Benjamin Okolo, told journalists they were investigating a reported case of vote buying in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Logistics challenges affect process at Kogi

Kogi was also a problem area as logistics challenges hindered the election from taking place in in nine polling units at Ganaja Village in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state.

READ ALSO: ‘We Will Wait, No Matter How Long It Takes Us To Vote’

According to Alhaji Haliru Sule, Kogi INEC Head of Voters Education and Publicity, “We had some challenges holding the presidential and National Assembly elections in Ganaja Village in Ajaokuta Local Government on Saturday because of some logistic problems”.

There was however, no clarity in terms of what the logistics problems were. .

Tough terrain forces INEC to shift Bakassi voting to Today

Voting could also not be concluded in the Cross River area of Bakassi and would continue there today.

The extension was announced in a statement by Mrs Anthonia Nwobi, Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, on behalf of Prof. Gabriel Yomere, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Cross River

“The extension to Sunday was for the exercise to hold in polling units and wards in Cross River that election did not take place, including Bakassi Local Government Area, Dayspring 1 and 2 as well as Qua Island.

Acute Shortage Of Election Materials In Yenagoa

In the Epie I and Epie III, Gbarain II and Okordia registration areas in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, acute shortage of ballot papers led some people to protest at the INEC office there.

The INEC as a consequence postponed till today, the Presidential and National Assembly there. A statement on Saturday night and signed by Mr Wilfred Ifoga, the commission’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity announced the shift..

Complaints over limited ballots for people with disabilities                                                                                   The Albino Foundation Africa (TAF Africa) Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) Election Hub, has said that INEC was expected to provide 21,165 magnifying glasses at 16,071 Polling units for persons with albinism and minor visual impairment.

READ ALSO: Jubilation As Atiku Defeats Tinubu In Abiodun’s Backyard, Obi Slams Tinubu, Atiku at Umuahia

Only 26 braile ballot guides, 60 magnifying glasses and 90 large font posters were used in 273 Polling Units (PUs) it sampled, it has said.

Board member of TAF, Hajiya Amina Zakari, said “In the FCT, for instance, Kubwa village/Kofar Saraki (37-02-09-001) and DeiDei primary school (37-02-09-059) both in Kubwa ward, Bwari LGA are expected to have at least 6 to 13 registered visually impaired persons.

PFN Wants repeat of elections in areas that experienced irregularities.

Also, in our vote counting updates, which seeks to identify the problem areas, The Eagle reports that the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to repeat elections in those problem areas.

The chairman of PFN, Cross River chapter, Dr Lawrence Ekwok speaking with newsmen, mentioned particularly, polling units were the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, (BVAS) were either carted away or destroyed by thugs.

“Doing this will help prevent possible protests from those who feel disenfranchised and will also discourage violent activities”, he said.