The chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has admitted the late arrival of electoral officials in several polling units in different states of the federation.
The INEC chief said the delay was as a result of different reasons ranging from insecurity to logistical challenges. He noted that while the commission had taken note of those areas in question, efforts are being made to rectify them since voting was still ongoing.
Making the announcement this afternoon at the ICC center in Abuja, the INEC boss disclosed that while the delay was deliberate in parts of Abia and Imo states due to unfavourable security climate, he however assured that security agencies were able to escort electoral officials to the troubled spots. He also identified parts of Niger and Borno states where incidents of insecurity were recorded.
According to Mahmood, four specific local government areas in Imo State were identified as areas of special interest due to heightened insecurity. The local government areas are Okigwe, Orlu, Orsu and Ideato. The electoral umpire assures that no one will be disenfranchised in these areas as all resources would be deployed to ensure a hitch-free voting exercise.