Election in progress at 20 polling units in Plateau
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Voting is ongoing in 20 polling units of Plateau where the process was inconclusive as a result of technical hitches experienced with card reader.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who went round some of the polling units on Sunday reports that residents shunned Church service and trooped out in their numbers to exercise their civic right.
The polling units where elections were still ongoing cut across nine local governments areas of the state.
At one of the polling units in Riyom Local Government Area, women, youths and the aged were seen showing much enthusiasm and being keen to participate in the process.
Mr Imahearoebo Osaretin, the Head, Voter Education and Publicity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Plateau told NAN that ``election in those areas could not hold
on Saturday because of some challenges.
``Some of these polling units that elections are currently taking place have difficult terrain which posed challenge to us, as our officials couldn't get there with materials on time.
``Another reason why we could not hold election in those areas on Saturday was the challenge of card reader and bad network, as we couldn't reach our officials to communicate them when the new decision came on the use of voters register.
``But as you know, we had earlier made provisions for such exigencies in our plans, so the shift in the elections to today (Sunday) will not affect or delay us in any way.’’
He explained further that all those casting their votes at the moment were accredited on
Saturday, hence, they would just be voting and nothing more.
[02:43:48 PM] sheyhe gheshe: Youth, unemployed, others besiege newspaper stands to discuss Saturday's polls
Issues on presidential and National Assembly elections dominated discussions of free newspaper readers in Ojota, Lagos, on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that increased number of the free newspaper readers gathered at newspaper stands discussing with loud voices.
Some of the free readers were dressed for church but stopped to get a glimpse of news headlines.
The majority of them are youths.
They expressed different opinions on elections and argued on some issues such as introduction of voter card reader and extension of voting time, but generally said that the polls were peaceful, free and fair.
Some of them commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for introducing the card reader, while others said that the technology was posed some challenges.
According to some of the free readers, more measures should be taken to ensure safety in riverine areas.
A pharmacist, Mr Paul Eze, urged INEC to train its ad hoc workers on the use of the card readers for improvement in the governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls on April 11.
Eze said that the commission should address late arrival of electoral officers and materials at polling centres.
A civil servant, Mr Adejobi Adigun, said that the conduct of the elections so far showed that Nigerians had become wiser and were willing to develop the country’s democracy.
