Our correspondent observed low turn out at Ire Ekiti.
At unit 011 Ebi Ilawe, Ire Ward 2, 89 out of 144 that registered came for accreditation as
at 11.31am.
Hon. Bimbo Daramola, the All Progressives Congress candidate for Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, who is also seeking return to the National Assembly, said people were scared to come out for fear of being attacked.
According to Daramola, some political thugs he alleged were sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party had earlier threatened his supporters in the area.
He added: “We did a lot of mobilisation before today.
“It may be a strategy of the opposition.”
He alleged that there was a master plan by political thugs of the opposition to attack him on Friday night.
He said it took him less than 30 seconds to be accredited by the card.
He commended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for insisting on card reader.
Daramola complained of inadequate security arrangement in the area, saying there should have been more men at the polling booths than “just patrolling up and down”.
INEC’s Presiding Officer, Ikenyi Chinaso, a corps member, said 89 had so far been accredited by the card reader.
Former Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was accredited at his Ogilolo Quarters in Isan Ekiti, his country home, expressed worry that there were violent incidences in parts of the state.
Fayemi said he spent less than one minute for the card reader to get him accredited.
Commenting on the failure of the card readers in some areas, Fayemi said: “We should give INEC the benefit of the doubt.”
He said since technology is being introduced into the electoral system, it will not damage the system.
He said those who filled the incident form should be allowed to vote, adding: “Security agents are not many, no road blocks, but contingent of security people moving around. “We should watch when voting starts.”
Segun Osinkolu, a chieftain of the APC, said there was the need to be conscious of security during voting and collation of results.
Osinkolu said: “The good thing is the card reader but I’m worried, the exercise is too peaceful.
“Security is pretty adequate and it was not as frightening as it was during the governorship election.”
Photo Credit: SEGUN ADEBOWALE
Source: THE EAGLE
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