Dr Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Edo governorship election, has condemned late arrival of officials of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and election materials to his polling unit.
According to reports, INEC Officials and materials arrived in Ighodalo’s Okaegben ward one, unit 3 in Ewohimi at exactly 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Ighodalo, who arrived at the voting centre at 10:30 a.m., also condemned the arrest of some PDP members in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state.
He also decried the late arrival of election materials in Owan West Local Government Area.
“As you can see, INEC Officials and materials just arrived and they are well over two hours late.
“Well, we are still well around the allocated time for voting; let us see what we can achieve between now and close of voting hours,’’ he said.
According to him, it will only be fair if the voting hours are extended by the numbers of hours lost.
Edo: Voters protest non-arrival of INEC officials, materials
Eligible Voters in Ewohimi, particularly in Okaegben ward one, polling 3 and 15, were yet to exercise their franchise as at 10.30am at the ongoing Edo governorship election.
The unit is the polling centre of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo where he is expected to vote.
The voters who expressed concern at the absence of INEC at the most polling units in Ewohimin, said the development could affect voting process.
Mr Christopher Adoghe, a voter, said ” This is past 10am and up till now, we have not seen INEC officials and materials in polling unit three where the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is expected to vote.
“From here you can also see unit 15, there are no materials and INEC officials.
“From the information reaching us, most of the polling units in Ewohimi are experiencing the same issue, no INEC Officials and materials, he said.
According to him, look at old men and women out in the rain but no INEC officials to commence voting at 10:30am
Mr Monday Victor, a voter and an elderly man who also expressed concern over the delay, called on the INEC chairman to immediately order his officials to various voting points in Ewohimi.