Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has expressed satisfaction with the smooth process of accreditation and voting in some parts of the state.
Ikpeazu made the announcement on Saturday after voting for the Presidential and National Assembly elections at Unit 032 Umuebere Hall of Ward 7 in Umuobiakwa village, Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA).
He called on INEC to extend the voting period to enable voters to perform their civic duties and increase the distribution of election materials to polling units to prevent disenfranchisement.
Ikpeazu said that, “the problem is that the election started a bit late here and also some areas like Umuocheala in Isiala Ngwa South LGA have not received the election materials.
“I think it is necessary to improve the distribution of election materials to the various polling units, so that people will not leave the polling unit and become impatient.”
Ikpeazu described the process of accreditation and voting as perfect, adding that he was able to complete the process in “a few seconds”.
He expressed his satisfaction with the turnout and urged the voters to behave politely while voting.
Also, Chief Chris Akomas, the Commissioner representing Abia in the Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC), commended the security agents for their efforts to ensure peace, order and tranquility.
Akomas said this has given voters a sense of security and encouraged them to come out and do their civic duty.
He said he was impressed with the innovations INEC had introduced in the election and commended the commission for the improvements it has made to ensure that the election is credible.
In a related development, Chief Raymond Aliga, a political stakeholder, said that despite the delay in the arrival of INEC officials and election materials, the election was peaceful.
Aliga, who also voted in unit 016 Umuokpani-Umugwueze in Ward 3 in Nenu village in Obingwa LGA, said he was impressed with the process and that voters got accredited and voted within 30 seconds.
Chief Eric Opah, a businessman, said the BVAS machine is what Nigeria needs to achieve the desired transformation in the country’s electoral process.
Opah, who voted in Unit 024, Umuigba Hall in Ward 2 of Mbubo village in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, said he was impressed with the turnout of voters for the exercise and hoped that the votes would be counted.
In Unit 007 Umunkpeyi Nvosi, Ward 6 in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Onyii Wamah, the Abia State Head of Service, expressed concern over the delay in the arrival of election materials and asked the commission to extend the voting period.
Wamah said the exercise was smooth and peaceful, adding that the turnout was impressive in his unit.