Electorates across the 34 Polling Units, PU in Cross River State, southern Nigeria have turned out for the bye-election as early as 7 am local time before the arrival of the electoral materials.
At the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC office in Sankwala, Obanliku Local Government Areas, materials going to the 2 polling units, Bebuenkanyang and Bayaga were dispatched under the watchful eyes of security agents and local observers.
Although the voting process was yet to commence in earnest at Bubeunkanyang polling unit as at 9am, the gathering almost turned rowdy when an agent.of one of the political parties noticed a seeming “assistance” rendered to an elderly voter inside the voting area before thumb printing.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Blessing Anyalebechi took time to sensitize those waiting to cast their votes on how to thumb print.
Dr. Anyalebechi said, “we just need to remind you that you must be careful when you vote. You thumb print using your thumb or index finger within the box beside the party logo of your choice. Be careful not to finger print on the line. Such print that does not conform with the format, will be voided.”
Earlier, the traditional head of Bebuenkanyang village, Odey Ololo said, “the traditional institution participated in sensitizing the people. We are bent on peaceful conduct of this exercise nothing more. We do not have any special candidate, but to perform our civic duty as Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, voting has commenced at Bayaga polling unit with the elderly people, who were allowed to cast votes first, described the process as peaceful so far.
On the streets of Sankwala, the headquarters of Obanliku Local Government Area, security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Correctional Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service were heavily mobilized to the polling units and along the streets.
Confidence Okwuchi
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