Card readers malfunction, late arrival of materials mar elections in Bayelsa

Late arrival of election materials and malfunctions of Card readers have marred Presidential and National Assembly elections in some local government areas of Bayelsa.

The News Agency Nigeria correspondent who monitored elections in some polling units in Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa and Sagbama Local Governments, reports that materials arrived at 10:03 a.m, against official 8 a.m. fixed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In some of the units, card readers were malfunctioning and voters were defranchised.

At Igbawa square, unit 14, ward 7 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government, Mr Timi Alaibe, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was rejected by card reader before he was accepted after several trials.

At unit 1 and 2, ward 7 Ofonbiri and unit 3 and 4 in Oluibiri, Opokuma, election materials arrived late.

James Lucky, a Domestic Observer told NAN that there were late arrival of materials but the issue of card reader was corrected immediately and people voted.

Mr Elvis Doukemezou, the Young Democratic Party (YDP) returning agent for Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency 2, urged INEC to improve on their performance in the future elections.

Doukemezou, who while voting at unit 14, ward 7 in Igbainwari community, urged the electorate to be peaceful.

However, in Yenagoa ward 7 and 11, Mr Kenneth, INEC officer, said the challenge from the card reader was also corrected and people were able to cast their votes.