We experienced logistical challenges with NURTW – Ogun REC

Despite collaborating with the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Ogun State to fast-track the process of distributing electoral materials to various polling units in the state, the Ogun State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Olaniyi Ijalaye, on Saturday, said the commission still experienced logistical challenges.

Ijalaye made the statement during his visit to Abiodun’s polling unit for an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing voting exercise in the area and at other polling units in the Ikenne LGA.

Commenting on the reason for the delay in the commencement of voting and the unavailability of election materials in some localities in the state, Ijalaye, while assuring the electorates that no one would be disenfranchised, said the logistical challenges the commission faced with the NURTW had been resolved.

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He said, “With all due respect, it is not just the governor’s polling unit but with a few others that had one or two challenges. But as we speak, voting has commenced there and until the last man and woman have voted, we will not close voting.

“I am really pleased that people have trooped out to exercise their civil responsibility by voting for candidates of their choice. Virtually everywhere I have gone, accreditation had taken place and voting has commenced in some places. In some other places, accreditation is ongoing, while in a few other areas, we are having challenges with the issue of transportation.

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“We are in collaboration with the NURTW and there is a bit of few logistical issues that have now been resolved. I want to give the good people of Ogun State the assurance that no one will be disenfranchised. Even if voting commences now, we will not close voting until the last person has voted.”

It was gathered that the voting exercise at Abiodun’s polling unit at Ward 002, Polling Unit 003, Ita Osanyin, Iperu, observed that voting commenced late.

Lamenting over the situation, an electorate, James Alabama, urged the INEC to make voting materials available on time during the governorship election.

He said, “Although, everything is calm and there is no fight because we all know who we are voting for but the voting process is very commenced late and it is very slow.

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“They started around 9.30 am but at the polling unit that is very close to that of the governor, people started voting one hour thirty minutes before voting commenced at the governor’s unit. If this kind of thing happens during the governorship election and it affects the voting process, we won’t take it.”

Also, as of the time of filing this report, the INEC officials were yet to be seen at Magboro, Asese, Oke-Afa, and Mowe, in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.

While some electorates were heard lamenting over the situation, some others, who could no longer cope with the situation, left their polling units and returned home.