…assures no voter’ll be disenfranchised
As Nigerians vote to decide who becomes the next president, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed attacks by suspected tugs on polling units in Oshimili Local Government Area of Delta State and Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State and the loss of some Biometric Voter Accreditation Systems, BVAS, to the incidents.
Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja, while updating newsmen on developments in the ongoing presidential and national assembly election across the country.
Yakubu, who expressed worry over the incidents, also disclosed that iNEC officials could not deploy early enough to Kalawa in Shiroro local government council in, Niger state because bandits launched an attack not necessarily on INEC officials but in the area and on the advise of security agents, the commission’s officials tarried awhile.
“For instance, we could not deploy early enough to Kalawa in Shiroro local government council in Niger state. Bandits launched an attack not necessary INEC officials but in the area. But with the advise from the security agents, we tarry awhile.
“Similarly, in Oshimili local government council in Delta state, thugs attacked BVAS machines and 2 were lost in the process. But we have been able to replace the BVAS machines and reinforces security. And they have continued in that location.
“Also, in Safana local government council in Kastina state, thugs attacked voting location, and snatched 6 BVAS machines. Yet we are able to recover 3 of the machines and reinforces security for voting to continue in the areas. But happily, the security agents have been able to recover three of the BVAS machines,” he said.
On logistic challenges about the exercise, Yakubu assured Nigerians that no voter will be disenfranchised as every voter on the queue before 2:30pm will be allowed to vote no matter how long it takes.
The INEC chairman’s remarks follow widespread reports of late arrival of INEC officials to polling units, resulting late commencement of voting, as well as isolated security breaches in some polling units.
He apologized to Nigerians whose polling units were changed and were unfortunately still unable to locate their polling units, stating that they can still send text messages to the numbers that were provided on INEC social media platforms and be guided to their polling units as election was still in progress.