TELL Magazine

Rivers State is one of the states considered to be a “battle ground” because of the height of passion in the state about what should be the direction of voting. During the last February 25 presidential election there were contested results posted and the alleged involvement of Governor Nyesom Wike in an attempt to manipulate the voting system. Though Wike denied any attempt at involving in or encouraging any sharp practices, the belief is that the different political parties would definitely go into this exercise with some measure of desperation.

Attention is also being paid to the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Here there appears to be some improvement, at least at the start of the exercise. for instance, the process started relatively early in Ward 1, Eleme Local Government Area.

By 9am, accreditation and voting at Units 1, 2, 3, 8, 5 had started.

But turnout is generally low. Most of the units have two BVAS machines. So far, the machines have performed very well.

In Bayelsa State, there was a report of disruption of voting process at Ogbia local government area where some yet unknown persons took ballot boxes and set same ablaze.