Edo Gov Poll: INEC Extends Voting Period

By Ayodele Oni

Due to delay occasioned by heavy downpour Saturday morning, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has extended voting time in areas where the exercise began behind schedule.

Reports stated that due to the rainfall and some logistics, the process did not commence on time in some parts of the state.

INEC Officials and materials arrived late at ward one, unit 3 in Ewohimi, Esan North Local Government Area, where Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) finally voted.

Ighodalo, who arrived at the voting centre at 10:30 a.m., 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.

In a statement on Saturday, Mohammed Haruna, a National Commissioner, announced that the exercise had been extended in affected areas.

“The Commission continues to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Edo State from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja.

“Our monitoring indicates early commencement of polls in many Polling Units, but there are also reports of late commencement in some locations.

“To ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, the Commission wishes to reiterate that, in line with our Regulations and Guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last voter on the queue who arrived at the Polling Unit by 2.30pm has voted.

“Accordingly, we have drawn the attention of our office in Edo State to ensure that, where necessary, there is adequate power supply from our back-up electric generators in the affected Polling Units or Ward Collation Centres.”