September 21, (THEWILL) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting time in the Edo State governorship election in areas where there was a late arrival of materials and officials.
INEC National Commissioner and member of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
THEWILL earlier reported that Asue Ighodalo, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, had called for the extension of voting time following the delayed arrival of materials and INEC officials in his Idinrio community in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government.
Voting was also delayed at Unit 5, Ward 11, Azama Primary School, in Azama, Estako West Local Government, as the BIVAS machine for voters accreditation and onward voting did not function in the polling unit where Philip Shaibu, former deputy governor of Edo state, registered.
Speaking on Saturday afternoon, Haruna said the Commission was monitoring the ongoing Edo governorship election “from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja.
“Our monitoring indicates early commencement of polls in many polling units, but there are also reports of late commencement in some locations.
“To ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, the Commission wishes to reiterate that, in line with our Regulations and Guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last voter in the queue, who arrived at the polling unit by 2.30 p.m, has voted.
“Accordingly, we have drawn the attention of our office in Edo State to ensure that, where necessary, there is adequate power supply from our backup electric generators in the affected polling units or ward collation centres.”
