The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Saturday that voting hours would be extended in areas of Edo State where the governorship election process experienced delays. This extension was implemented to accommodate polling stations where voting started late, ensuring that voters in those areas would still have the opportunity to cast their ballots.
In a press statement signed by Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s National Commissioner and a member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the Commission acknowledged that while voting began on time at many polling units across the state, reports indicated delays in certain locations. The Commission is committed to ensuring that no eligible voter is denied the chance to participate in the election due to these setbacks.
INEC reiterated that, in accordance with its official Regulations and Guidelines, voting would continue for all eligible voters who were in line by 2:30 pm, the official cutoff time. This means that anyone in the queue at that time would be allowed to vote, no matter how long it took to process everyone in line.
To address any further disruptions, INEC directed its Edo State office to provide backup power supplies at polling units and collation centres affected by delays. These backup systems are intended to guarantee that both voting and the subsequent collation of results proceed smoothly without interruption.
Additionally, INEC confirmed that it is closely monitoring the entire election process from its central situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja. The situation room serves as a hub for real-time oversight and coordination, enabling INEC to respond swiftly to any issues that arise during the election. The Commission remains focused on ensuring the transparency and fairness of the voting process across Edo State.
