THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced an extension of voting hours in areas of Edo State where the process started late.
According to reports, logistical challenges and rainfall delayed the commencement of voting in several parts of the state.
INEC officials and materials arrived late at Ward 1, Unit 3 in Ewohimi, Esan North Local Government Area, where Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, eventually cast his vote.
Ighodalo, who arrived at the polling unit at 10:30 a.m., expressed disappointment over the delay. “As you can see, INEC officials and materials just arrived, and they are well over two hours late,” he said.
He added, “Well, we are still within the allocated time for voting; let us see what we can achieve between now and the close of voting hours.”
Ighodalo also called for fairness, stating that voting hours should be extended by the amount of time lost.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Mohammed Haruna, a National Commissioner for INEC, confirmed that voting time had been extended in the affected areas.
“The Commission continues to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Edo State from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja,” Haruna said. “Our monitoring shows that while voting commenced early in many polling units, there were reports of late starts in some areas.”
“To ensure no voter is disenfranchised, we reiterate that in line with our regulations and guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last person in the queue, who arrived by 2:30 p.m., has voted.”
He also noted that INEC had instructed its office in Edo State to ensure adequate power supply in the affected polling units or ward collation centres through the use of back-up electric generators.
