Voting Begins in Rivers Rerun; Polls Peaceful, Calm, Card Reader Effective

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Saturday, March 19th, 2016

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Port Harcourt

Contrary to fears that the Rivers state rerun election may be likely be marred by violence,the exercise has been peaceful and calm in parts of the state.

AFRICAN EXAMINER correspondent covering the election, observed that apart from alleged cases of use of fake result sheets in some election centres, the exercise has been generally peaceful.

However, voting has commenced in virtually all the polling units visited by our Correspondent, as there had not been any reported case of skirmishes.

However, unlike previous elections, the card reader had been very effective, in parts of the state, as there had not been any reported case of failure of the device.

APGA Candidate Complains Over Late Arrival Of Electoral Materials In Rivers Rerun

Meanwhile, the All progressive Grand Alliance APGA candidate for Phalga federal constituency in the rerun polls in Rivers state, Barrister Brave Nwobo, has expressed disappointment over the late arrival of electoral materials in parts of the state.

Addressing newsmen at his Elekahi ward 19, the APGA flag bearer, said “this non arrival of electoral material by almost 12: 30 does not speak well of INEC”

He said: “Imagine, accreditation that suppose to start by 8am has not started by almost 12 O’clock,even with all the assurances and preparations by the electoral body.

He regretted that INEC has not learnt any lesson from past mistakes.

Meanwhile, as at 12:46 pm, when our Correspondent who is covering the election went round parts of Obiakpo local government area of the state, it was observed that electoral materials were yet to arrive various polling units.