By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
A coalition of observer groups has said that late arrival of materials, breach of security and ballot box snatching in some polling units were visible during last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
In a communique read out on Wednesday by its leader, Mrs Okonkwo Grace of the Youth Initiative for Better Nigeria, Anambra state said there were violent attacks by thugs at some Polling Units and ballot box snatching in some local governments.
The coalition however, identified Wamakko and Goronyo as areas where ballot boxes were allegedly snatched.
” There were skitmishes in places like Dange/ Shuni, Tambuwal, Tureta, Raba, Wurno, S/ Birni and Isa.”
Accordingly, the communique observed that accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously in most polling units even as it noted that the card reader was grossly malfunctioning in some places” the card reader device was inadequately utilised especially at the accreditation stage which is the first point.
” Inspite of the challenges and rescheduled elections,electorates were eager to exercise their franchise with alacrity”, noted the coalition.
The coalition further commended INEC and the Sokoto state government for diligently making and providing the enabling atmosphere for the conduct of the exercise while urging the electoral umpire to ensure adequate security arrangement and intensify aggressive voter education to allow adequate exercise of franchise of voters in March 9 and other subsequent elections.
