IMO HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SUPPLEMENTARY ELECTIONS RECORD SUCCESS

Collation of results is in progress after voting has been concluded is in the polling units across the five local government areas of Imo State where supplementary election into the State House of Assembly is being held.

According to Radio Nigeria correspondent who monitored the exercise, there were early arrival of materials at some of the polling booths visited at Ikeduru and Isu Local Government Areas of the state.

Party agents and observers in the booths visited told journalists that the exercise was hitch-free.

The situation was the same at Ngor Okpala, Oguta and Orlu Local Government Areas where elections are taking place in some booths.

At Central Amaimo Ikeduru with three polling booths, the exercise was still peaceful as at noon when our teporter left the area.

Eligible voters were seen casting their votes without any form of molestation.

There were minimal reports of incidents of card readers malfunction in areas visited.

However there was relative low turn out of voters in the area.

Security agencies on patrol were also sighted around the areas where elections were taking place.

Speaking with journalists, a House of Assembly candidate for Ikeduru state constituency, Chief Uche Ogbuagu, attributed the low turn out in some areas to apathy arising from undemocratic disposition of some leaders.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be firm in ensuring that the outcome of the election reflected the will of the people.

However, there were reported cases of ballot box snatchings at some polling booths in Ikeduru and Ngor Okpala Local Government Areas of the State.

Supplementary election is being conducted in five State constituencies of Imo State where elections were either marred by violence or did not take place during the March ninth governorship and House of Assembly elections.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU