The International Press Centre (IPC) has expressed concern over the late deployment of some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in parts of Onitsha during the ongoing Anambra governorship election, describing the delay as “worrisome” and capable of creating apprehension among voters.
Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, who made the observation while briefing journalists in Onitsha, said the centre’s field monitors reported that some officials had to relocate from the INEC office due to inadequate logistics and poor facility arrangements.
“At about 8:30 a.m., INEC officials were just about to leave for their respective polling units. This delay is worrisome,” Arogundade said. “The first set of officials arrived at some polling units as early as 7:07 a.m., while others reached as late as 8:10 a.m. By 8:30 a.m., most had completed setup, pasted voter registers, and were ready to commence accreditation and voting.”
He added that such inconsistencies in the early phase of the election process could create uncertainty among voters and possibly affect turnout. “We hope that in subsequent elections, INEC officials will arrive early enough to instill confidence and orderliness,” he noted.
While no major incidents had been recorded as of press time, Arogundade warned that reports of malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices could undermine the credibility of the process if not promptly addressed.
Meanwhile, the Situation Room observer, Dimma Nwobi, alleged incidents of vote-buying in some areas of Onitsha North and South, prompting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to deploy monitoring teams to several polling locations.
Residents also reported minor BVAS-related technical hitches during the early hours of voting, though INEC officials were seen making efforts to rectify the challenges to ensure smooth accreditation.
Observers have urged INEC to improve its logistics and deployment strategy to prevent future delays and ensure transparency in the electoral process.