Connected Development has observed that priority was not being given to elderly persons/pregnant women as stipulated by guidelines t road side former road Upogoro polling unit in Okene Local Government Area.
The Founder/ Chief Executive of CODE, Hamzat Lawal, while briefing newsmen in Abuja on situation reports on the 2023 Presidential election, explained that in Kogi precisely, as at 11:35am on Saturday, voting was disrupted after a fight erupted and voters were attacked.
He said ballot papers were torn and destroyed.
He said the polling station issues which had the highest publication on Uzabe had the following breakdown by geopolitical zones: SE – 11%, SW – 13.19%, NC – 19.15%, NE – 17.87%, NW – 23.4, SS – 14.47.
“We see that the North West had the highest polling station issues.
“Positive events which had the second highest publishing on UZABE has the following breakdown by geopolitical zones: SE – 3%, SW – 10%, NC – 27%, NE – 13%, NW – 24%, SS – 23%.
“We see that the north central had the highest positive events. We are also aware of positive events happening in Taraba State, in Jalingo Local government area, in Muhammed Nya polling unit, where our observers have reported that priority is being given to the elderly as well as pregnant wome.
“We are concerned of security breaches in some parts of the North East. For example, we have noted an issues of voters and INEC staff getting into a fracas in Yola South, in Wauru Jabbe polling unit.
“As at an hour ago, voting in this place have been disrupted and we call on relevant authorities to look into this and restore calm and order.
“In the South West, there are several reports of voting materials malfunctioning and party agents disrupting elections. For example in Lagos, Agege Local Govt, in Iloro/onitepetesi Arigidi polling unit, we have noted reports of the wrong BVAS machine deployed to the polling station.
“In Ekiti State, in Ikere LGA, Ajaka unit 003 polling unit, our observers have reported party agents fighting with security agents and causing disruptions and stopping voting
“We are concerned about reports from the North West region. For example in Sokoto State, in Sokoto South LGA, armed men attacked a polling station in Jegawa ward, and the assailants destroyed ballot boxes.
“This is to alert security agents to intervene and ensure citizens are allowed to cast their ballot in a peaceful manner. Nobody should be allowed to mobilize thugs and disrupt elections,” he said.
