Logistics challenges, late arrival of INEC officials mar commencement of election in Ibadan

The presidential election kicked off on a shaky start in many parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Saturday as many voters, who filed out to perform their civic responsibility expressed their disappointment at the late arrival of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Per Seconds News gathered that in many polling units across the city, no INEC officials were on ground as at 9am despite the early arrival of voters as the electoral body blamed its late arrival on logistics problem.

Speaking with our correspondent at Molete, Oke Ado, Mokola axis of the city and Imalefalia, residents lamented that INEC officials arrived late, adding that they were surprised that election that ought to have started by 9.00am did not commence as of 9.30am.

Information gathered by Per Seconds News also revealed that most of the INEC ad hoc staff were stranded at the Registration Area Centres (RAC) as there were no sufficient vehicles to move them to different polling units where election would take place.

A number of people who spoke with our correspondent put the blame on INEC for poor preparation for the exercise.

A man, who gave his name as Femi Olorusola said: “We have been here since 7:30 am, hoping to get accredited and vote by 8:30am but as of 9:00 am, no presence of INEC officials was at sight.

“We initially feared election has been postponed because this poor start will dampen the enthusiasm of many people, especially the aged.”