LATE ARRIVAL OF INEC OFFICIALS/MATERIALS CHARACTERISE POLLS IN ABIA

REPORTERS: LAWRENCE NWOKEDI, JOHN MADUAGWU, JOSHUA OBIALOR
& CHIDI ONUOHA

Electorate in Abia State today came out in their numbers to cast their votes at various polling units in the three senatorial districts of Abia state for their preferred candidates in the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

A team of Radio Nigeria correspondents observed that the election, which was characterized by late arrival of INEC officials and election materials at polling units, was quite peaceful.

At School Road and Ibeku High School Umuahia in Umuahia North Local Government Area, accreditation and voting commended around 10.30am in the morning.

Many people were seen on queue, waiting to be accreditated before voting.

At Ugba Primary School, Umuahia, where the former Governor of the state, Chief Theodore Orji voted, election materials and INEC officials arrived there late around 10:45 am.

At Obingwa unit 032, voting also began late around 11am where the Governor of the state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, accompanied by wife, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, cast their votes.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria the Governor expressed satisfaction with the large turn out of voters at various polling units.

The story was the same at Amankala ward 8 and 9 Igbere Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia North Senatorial district where election materials and INEC officials arrived at the polling units around 1130am.

Accreditation and voting commended immediately at the polling units in the area.

At Aba North and South Local Government Areas reports that voting also commended late due to late arrival of INEC officials and election materials in most polling units.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU