APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
Despite reports of peaceful conduct of the presidential and National Assembly election in Nigeria early on Saturday, there were logistics issues and violence later in the day that almost marred the exercise.
According to local media reports on Sunday, there were cases of late arrival of election materials, absence of election officials and violence in some states like Lagos, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.
Following this development, voting in some states ended as late as 9pm instead of 2.30pm, while voting will continue on Sunday in order to address some the challenges reported during the election on Saturday.
For instance, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has extended voting in the presidential and national assembly elections in Cross River to Sunday, February 26.
In a statement signed by Mrs Anthonia Nwobi, Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, on behalf of Prof. Gabriel Yomere, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Cross River, stated that the extension became necessary for the presidential and national assembly election to hold in areas of the state where it could not hold on the original date of Feb. 25
“The extension to Sunday was for the exercise to hold in polling units and wards in Cross River that election did not take place, including Bakassi Local Government Area, Dayspring 1 and 2 as well as Qua Island.
“Voting in the affected areas will resume by 8 am and end at noon.
“All stakeholders, including members of political parties, Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), Observers, the press, INEC staff and ad-hoc personnel for the 2023 general elections should be guided,” she said.
She added that the commission reassures all eligible voters of its resolution that no registered voter would be disenfranchised in the 2023 general election.
ACG James Bassey of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had said earlier that some hoodlums were preventing movement of people.
GIK/APA