Voting at the shomolu area of Lagos State suffered a set back following the failure of INEC to make ballot papers available in two polling units in state.
Dgossip247 correspondent who monitored the elections in the area noticed that although accreditation went well in the area however trouble started when more than 1000 registered persons at the Ward 9 Unit 002 and 005 at the Oke-Meta Memorial School in Shomolu could not cast their votes.
Our correspondent who visited the school saw eligible accredited electorates expressing anger over the absence of INEC officials at about 4.30pm. INEC officials were not seen at the school and their polling booth, boxes and other materials were abandoned in the school.
Angry electorates who spoke with our correspondent alleged sabotage by INEC officials. An electorate ,Edikan Udosen said he was sad as he could not cast his vote.
“I came to the polling Unit about 10pm and I got accredited about thirty minutes later. I came back around 1.30pm and I was expecting to cast my vote. But I was informed that the INEC supervisor , a woman went away with the ballot papers and she did not come back . I have been waiting her endlessly . I learnt that she said the ballot papers she brought were not for us but for Pedro area. Some electorates volunteered to take her to INEC office at Yaba but after two hours of waiting, the electorates that went with her came back but she did not come back. Trouble started when the NYSC members refused to use the ballot papers. People become angry and they almost lynched the corper but policemen including SARS officials came and took the corper and the ballot papers away. I waited till 6pm and I did not vote. I have been disenfranchised. I want INEC to conduct another election in our polling booths so we can cast our votes.”
Another electorate, %^ year old Mustafa Jimoh said he wants INEC to conduct a fresh election in his polling Unit.
“I came out very early and I was accredited shortly after. I came back to cast my vote but I learnt INEC officials and the police disappeared with the ballot papers. I am sad but I do not mind coming back if they say they will repeat the process”
A student, Jenifer Amadi also express disappointment over the incident.
She said “I am a student ans my friends and I came out to cast our votes. we have been waiting here but nothing is happening as they INEC will bring another ballot papers. we are young Nigerians but we have been disenfranchised and this is very sad“.
Despite the hiccup, dgossip247 correspondents who visited other polling Units said the process was peaceful but they added that they want INEC to provide maximum security for electorates.
A housewife, Mrs Olayemi Aluko said “I came out early and I voted on time. the card reader is good and i want government to continue to use it. I give kudos to INEC for the success of the cards but I noticed that there were no security at our polling centre and on the streets. I was scared but people conducted themselves well and we all voted”
Tens of millions of Nigerians voted in yesterday’s, March 28, thirstily awaited poll, despite fatal attacks by the Boko Haram sect, widespread technology challenges and the hacking of the national electoral commission’s website.
Our correspondent who visited the school saw eligible accredited electorates expressing anger over the absence of INEC officials at about 4.30pm. INEC officials were not seen at the school and their polling booth, boxes and other materials were abandoned in the school.
Angry electorates who spoke with our correspondent alleged sabotage by INEC officials. An electorate ,Edikan Udosen said he was sad as he could not cast his vote.
“I came to the polling Unit about 10pm and I got accredited about thirty minutes later. I came back around 1.30pm and I was expecting to cast my vote. But I was informed that the INEC supervisor , a woman went away with the ballot papers and she did not come back . I have been waiting her endlessly . I learnt that she said the ballot papers she brought were not for us but for Pedro area. Some electorates volunteered to take her to INEC office at Yaba but after two hours of waiting, the electorates that went with her came back but she did not come back. Trouble started when the NYSC members refused to use the ballot papers. People become angry and they almost lynched the corper but policemen including SARS officials came and took the corper and the ballot papers away. I waited till 6pm and I did not vote. I have been disenfranchised. I want INEC to conduct another election in our polling booths so we can cast our votes.”
Another electorate, %^ year old Mustafa Jimoh said he wants INEC to conduct a fresh election in his polling Unit.
“I came out very early and I was accredited shortly after. I came back to cast my vote but I learnt INEC officials and the police disappeared with the ballot papers. I am sad but I do not mind coming back if they say they will repeat the process”
A student, Jenifer Amadi also express disappointment over the incident.
She said “I am a student ans my friends and I came out to cast our votes. we have been waiting here but nothing is happening as they INEC will bring another ballot papers. we are young Nigerians but we have been disenfranchised and this is very sad“.
Despite the hiccup, dgossip247 correspondents who visited other polling Units said the process was peaceful but they added that they want INEC to provide maximum security for electorates.
A housewife, Mrs Olayemi Aluko said “I came out early and I voted on time. the card reader is good and i want government to continue to use it. I give kudos to INEC for the success of the cards but I noticed that there were no security at our polling centre and on the streets. I was scared but people conducted themselves well and we all voted”
Tens of millions of Nigerians voted in yesterday’s, March 28, thirstily awaited poll, despite fatal attacks by the Boko Haram sect, widespread technology challenges and the hacking of the national electoral commission’s website.
No comments:
Post a Comment