Electorate at ongoing Orumba North & Orumba South and Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo federal constituencies rerun have urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the voting time to 6pm or more.
The voters, who spoke to Blueprint Correspondent at Nanka in Orumba North and Nnewi in Nnewi North Council Areas where election were being held, lamented that late arrival and commencement of the poll at most polling units could mar the exercise.
Blueprint reported that election began between 9.46am to 12noon at most polling units due to absence of voting materials and ad-hoc staff. Speaking to Blueprint at Nanka, a voter and businessman, Chief Ike Obierije argued that extending the time would make it possible for all those in queue to exercise their franchise.
Also speaking, Mrs Juliana Nwogbo of Nnewichi, said she was confident that actual winner would seamlessly if the commission create opportunities for all to vote as well as maintain its promise of neutrality.
The rerun holding at 16 polling units at Nanka in Orumba North LGA which has161,914 voters and 5 polling units at Nnewi in Nnewi North LGA with 97,438 voters.
However, the candidate of the People Democracy Party (PDP) for Orumba North and Orumba South, Hon. Okwudili Ezenwankwo cast his vote at 11:12am while the candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP) voted at about 12noon.
Blueprint had reported that the exercise was going smoothly although with poor turnout of voters if compared to what transpired on February 2023 general election.
