Over 2million voters disenfranchised in Imo.

… Uzodimma commends INEC’s BVAS initiative 

From Charity Wins, Owerri

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has conspicuously disefrachised over two million people in imo State 

There were late arrival and non arrival of election materials in high populated areas of the three senatorial zones of Imo State.

The Resident Electiral Commissioner in Imo State, Prof.Sylva, while speaking with journalists in Owerri, Imo State, admitted the fault and promised to extend it to next  day if the commission did not meet up

She further stated that INEC has captured   all the areas  that did not participate in February 25 Presidential and National Assembly Elections and all irregularties in the just concluded elections.

Similarly, the governor of Imo State,  Hope Uzodimma,  on Saturday, lauded INEC for introducing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

Uzodimma  made this commendation  while interacting with newsmen shortly after casting his vote at Ozuh Omuma Ward 10, Polling Unit 010.

The  INEC officials arrived at approximately 10:30 am while voting commenced at 10:55am at the voting center.

The governor, who arrived the polling unit in company of his wife, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, described the BVAS as “the best for now.”

His words, “I came and within two-three minutes, I went through accreditation, collected my ballot papers and voted.

“My wife has done the same thing. I must commend the process.

“There’s a little bit of improvement and a departure from what we used to have to a more prudent and efficient thing. There’s no perfection here on earth. Only God  is perfect.

“I advise our people not to look for faults but to embrace change and innovations for enhanced national development,” Uzodimma noted.

The governor blamed the voter apathy recorded in some local government areas of the state on security challenges.

“The people are still struggling with the memory of what happened here in the past.

“We are doing our best to erase the past and restore sanity to the area,” he stated.

Uzodimma stressed that the delay in commencement of the electoral process and transportation of election materials in the state was due to logistics challenge.

“I am told that the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers were supposed to supply vehicles but they disappointed.

“So, INEC is struggling, we are also helping to intervene here and there to ensure that elections take place.

“I am happy that elections have started in many parts of the state,” he submitted.

Speaking, the Presiding Officer,  Christian Igboanusi, highlighted that  the BVAS machine worked in perfect condition at the polling unit which had a total of 750 registered voters.

However, Igboanusi explained that the venue of his polling unit where Uzodimma voted was relocated from Migrant Farmers Children Primary School, Ozuh Omuma to a space nearer to the governor’s country home.

He said the decision was to create easy access for the governor as a result of security threats within the vicinity.
 

In the same vein, enthusiastic voters at the polling units across Imo State have expressed disappointments in respect of late arrival of INEC Officials at he various centres.

In Aladinma Ward 013, Customs Quarters Ward 016, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, prospective voters expressed astonishment and displeasure   over the absence of INEC officials and security operatives at the centre.