He also explained why voting periods had to be extended in some areas. "Many of the recognized hitches were successfully rectified which enabled voting to take place seamlessly, yet there were places where voting could not proceed as a result of the failure of the smart card reader", he disclosed. He also pointed out that "there were places where materials arrived late for voting to proceed. After consultation with the affected places, new smart card readers were configured and deployed".
While stressing that the vote of every Nigerian is important and must count, Professor Yakubu made it known that "we have received preliminary reports and we are closely monitoring the situation in Rivers, we are similarly awaiting reports from our Imo office, particularly about the Owerri Municipal Government. We are also aware of the incidents in some parts of Lagos, particularly Okota". The Chairman also spoke on the intimidation and abduction of INEC staff in Akwa Ibom as well as the burning down of a vehicle conveying electoral materials in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Speaking further, he said "some youth corp members serving as ad hoc staff were also attacked in Osun State. While in all these attacks, election staff sustained injuries, we have unfortunately recorded the first fatality in Rivers State; an ad hoc staff, Mrs. Ibisike Amachree was hit by a bullet while returning from election duty in Degema". He condemned the violence and assured that the law would take its course against electoral offenders.
Comments
Post a Comment