Voters’ Suppression: INEC Postpones Election In VGC

Voters in Victoria Garden City, VGC, Lagos had refused to vote after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC moved the polling centers out of their Estate.

The election has now been postponed by INEC to a further date.

INEC, the magazine learned had before the election started this morning moved the polling stations outside the gate of the estate.

The electoral umpire’s decision was said to have angered the residents who feared that they could be attacked by thugs, making them insist that the voting centers be moved back to where they voted during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

INEC refused.

There are no fewer than 10 voting centers or more  in  and around the estate with more than 6000 eligible voters, according to figures provided by INEC.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Segun Agbaje while speaking to journalists disclosed that corps members deployed as ad hoc staff to the area were hesitant to enter the estate after they alleged that they were held hostage in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

He explained that it was based on this that INEC set up materials in front of the estate, but the residents claimed that the center is not conducive and safe for them to vote.

The Commission, he said, decided to postpone the election as the situation became difficult for security agencies to handle.

Agabje said, “We have eight polling units here with 6,024 registered voters and out of which 5,624 people have their PVCs.”

There are a total of 10 polling units in the estate, he said, adding there are “Eight here (in the estate) and two outside,” he noted.

“After due consultation and further directive from the national headquarters that we should remobilise here tomorrow (Sunday) morning by 08:30 am to conduct the elections.

“By 08:30 am tomorrow (Sunday), we will reconvene here,” he said.