17th November, 2013
Seun Bisuga, Simon Ateba, Folarin Ademosu, Oluwasanmi Joseph/In Awka
Registered voters in Obosi, North Idemili Local Government Area have gotten increasingly frustrated by INECs inconsistencies and inadequacies, after the electoral body failed to bring election materials to several polling units.
As at 10:30 a.m. accreditation was yet to begin. At Umuota Primary School, Obosi, voters threatened to boycott the election after only two booths of the four polling units were brought to the station.
Ifeanyi Okafor, a registered voter at Obosi said the delay tactics was a ploy by INEC to rig the election. “INEC does not want us to vote because they want to rig this election and for this reason we want to boycott the election,” he said.
Linda Njirinze, a presiding officer at Obosi Central School said they have been given directive by INEC not to commence election until all polling booths and election materials arrive.
“I preside over unit 015 but I cannot begin accreditation until polling booths 014 and 039 arrive because that is the directive,” she said.
At Obosi Town Hall where ballot boxes were carted away yesterday accreditation has begun amidst heavy security presence.
But the voters are not happy with the influx of security men at the polling unit. “They are scaring us and chasing voters away. All the guns and armoured tanks should be deployed to the North because this election is not a war,” Mrs Grace said.
Election hiccups were experienced in other parts of Idemili North as well.
Victoria Obinwa, Party Agent for APGA believes the election has been free and fair despite the glitches.
She reckons that people should not be apprehensive of the army and policemen because they are trying to ensure peace and order.
Glibe Iweka, All Progressives Congress, party agent told P.M. News that APC voters are fed up with INEC tactics. “They are trying to frustrate us by delaying election materials and it is getting to our voters who want to boycott the election,” he said.
He noted that the election was not free and fair but peaceful. “Yesterday ballot boxes did not arrive on time and it’s repeating itself today. This cannot be a free and fair election.”