The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said that the disappearance of some adhoc staff and drivers hired by the commission for the Anambra State governorship election and malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) compelled it to extend voting period to 4 pm yesterday and today, Sunday.
Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, at a press conference in Awka, however said the revised closing time applied only to areas where polling units opened after the commencement period of 8.30am. INEC had set polling period to be between 8:30am and 2.30 pm.
He said: “It must be noted that on account of security concerns, some of the transporters that were mobilised and collected 50 per cent of their sign on fee backed out at the last moment, leaving some of our ad-hoc staff stranded.
“Also, some of the trained ad-hoc staff backed out at the last moment. “The commission is on top of these challenges and extant regulations and guidelines will be applied on a case by case bases.
“Consequently, we are harvesting areas where voting will realistically no longer take place today (Saturday), including places where sub-stantial disruption has occurred, to enable a possible recommencement of voting at another time, in line with extant laws and the regulations and guidelines of the commission.”
The REC stated that, “In line with existing regulations and guidelines of the commission, any intending voter who is on the queue by 4.00 pm shall be allowed to vote.”
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