The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced an extension of the voting period in the ongoing Edo governorship election.
News About Nigeria reports that this is contained in a statement issued and signed by Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s national commissioner and member of the information and voter education committee, on Saturday.
Haruna noted that the extension will allow voting to continue until all eligible voters who arrived at polling units by 2:30 pm have cast their ballots.
He added that voting would be extended at polling units where commencement was delayed.
“The Commission continues to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Edo State from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja,” the statement reads.
“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 in the queue who arrived at the Polling Unit by 2.30 pm 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 backup electric generators in the affected Polling Units or Ward Collation Centres.”
On Friday, Frank Mba, the deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) in charge of security for the election, said there would be restrictions on vehicular movement from 6 am to 6 pm in the state.
