Delta LGs Poll: Large Turn Out; Peaceful Conduct As Voting, Collation Underway

Posted by African Examiner African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Saturday, March 6th, 2021

By Tajudeen Balogun, Asaba

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Voting process to elect new Chairmen and Councilors for the 25 Local Council areas of Delta State, south south Nigeria, is still underway

African Examiner reports that the Delta State Independent Commission (DSIEC) ad hoc staff, posted to the capital city of Asaba arrived early Saturday morning, with voting materials at some polling units.

Similarly, political party agents, security operatives and other stakeholders also made it easier to differentiate designated polling units in Oshimili North and South Local Council areas of the State.

Fielding questions from journalists at Ward 9, Unit 4 (Uzego Primary School, Oshimili South LG) the Chairman, Forum of the State Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (FOSIECON), Delta LGs poll, Chief J.C. Ezeh, said from their findings, it discovered that the logistics of distributing sensitive materials was in order, while voters, political parties’ representatives conducted themselves orderly. He added that from the observation, the election ad-hoc staff conducted themselves within the ambit of electoral act.

Chief Ezeh who is also the Chairman of Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (ESIEC), confirmed that FOSIECON would still write the report of its observation – of the exercise which adopted an open – secret ballot system.

The ESIEC boss was joined by Prof. Garuba Ibrahim and Mr. Isiaka Olagunju (SAN) – the Chairmen of Kano and Oyo States Independent Electoral Commissions respectively, among others.

In ward 13, Unit 5 (Ahabam Primary School, Asaba), Oshimili LG, AFRICAN EXAMINER gathered that there are a total of 10, 325 registered voters at the polling booth . The ward shares premises with another – ward 11, Unit 1 – which has a total of 1, 320 registered voters.

In all the units visited including ward 12, unit 7 (Omeh Secondary School), Oshimili LG, voters turned out in good numbers.

A voter in the unit, Ezekiel Okapa told AFRICAN EXAMINER that he exercised without any harassment and molestation.

Our Correspondent sighted elated parties’ stalwarts staying very close to the polling units – to monitor the exercise.

Similarly, there were no cases of fighting, ballot paper snatching or stuffing at the units visited.

AFRICAN EXAMINER reports that the voting was being conducted in 500 wards and 3, 624 polling units – across the 25 LG areas of the State.

The DSIEC has announced restriction of movement from 7am till 3pm, the hours voting will last.

Apart from those on essential duties and few commercial and interstates vehicles, the level of compliance to the restriction of movement was high.

As at the time of filing this report, the results at the polling units are being counted and collated in the presence of party agents, security operatives and independent observers.

A source from DSIEC told AFRICAN EXAMINER that the announcement of final results would last till Tuesday, next week. The source attributed the delay to logistics challenges involved, especially in many of the riverine areas of the south south State.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, has commended the exercise.

Oborevwori made the commendation shortly after he cast his vote at about 10:05 a.m. in Unit 9 Ward 6 in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

“I want to tell you that the election is peaceful. Everybody accepts the candidature of Mr Isaiah Isiovwa as Chairman of Okpe Local Government Area.

“Victory is sure for the PDP in Okpe Local Government Area,” he said.

(Photo caption: (L-R) Delta LG Poll FOSIECON Chairman, Chief J.C Ezeh; Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof Garuba Ibrahim and FOSIECON Director -General,Mr. Peter Umado, at Uzego Primary school, Oshimili South LG area, for observation. Photo by @TajudeenBalogun)