The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended voting time in the ongoing Edo State governorship election in parts of the State where the exercise commenced late due to some challenges.
The electoral umpire said the decision was in line with its Regulations and Guidelines, adding that 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.
According to a statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner & Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, on Saturday afternoon, the Commission noted it continued to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Edo State from its 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,” Haruna stated.
LEADERSHIP earlier reported delay in the commencece of the voting exercise in parts of the State owing to the late arrival of INEC officials, electoral materials and malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.
