ANAMBRA SUPPLEMENTARY POLL: VOTERS COMMEND BVAS FUNCTIONALITY, LAMENT LATE COMMENCEMENT OF VOTING

REPORTERS: UCHE NDEKE, NDU NWANNAH & NKIRU EGWUI

Voting is in progress in most of the polling units in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anmbra State.

Though the exercise commenced behind schedule, there was an improvement on the BVAS machine as it didn’t take so much times to capture a voter as was the case last Saturday.

People came out to vote despite the fear of insecurity in some areas.

However as at 2.40pm some adhoc staff were still at the Super RAC center, apparently due to security threats in about six communities.

Some of the voters, including the Secretary PDP State Campaign Council, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, expressed happiness with the improvement in the functionality of the BVAS.

He however expressed regret that the late arrival of Materials and Personnel might not allow many to participate in the election except INEC announced an extension in closing time.

Radio Nigeria gathered that accreditation and voting in today’s Supplementary election in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State started behind schedule.

The election was scheduled to commence by 10am.

As at 1.50pm, the distribution of materials were still going on at the INEC office in Ihiala Local Government Area.

However, there was heavy deployment of security personnel, including the army, police, DSS, as well as FRSC officials at the distribution Centre.

Vehicles carrying electoral materials caused traffic jam on the council axis of the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

Security personnel were still being deployed to polling units as at 1pm.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, assured journalists that the initial challenges would be overcome to enable voters cast their votes.