Lagos- Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Saturday appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to correct some of the election hitches reported across the country.
Speaking to journalists after voting at his polling unit in Surulere, Fashola urged the commission to ensure that all eligible voters exercised their franchise.
He said whatever issues that might have prevented some people from voting during the presidential and national assembly election, INEC should provide them another voting opportunity no matter how late.
The governor, however, urged citizens to show understanding with the commission, saying imperfection was human and that any process that involved the use of technology was bound to have some hitches.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that reported cases of malfunctioning card readers had either delayed or prevented voting in some polling units in the state.
Reported cases of violence and clashes in some polling units were also said to have marred voting in some centres.
Fashola said: ‘’I appeal to INEC to ensure that whatever can still be done to give people who could not vote an opportunity to vote should be done no matter how late.
“This is a logistic operation. You plan for the worst and hope for the best, and it happens to you journalists too.
“Sometimes you wait all day to get a good shot and just when you are trying to hook up, you lose connection.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
“What is important is that nobody should be seen sabotaging the process. Human beings make mistake but let us hope everybody has the opportunity to vote.’’
Fashola said elections were about the will of the majority and that could only be achieved if the polls were free and fair.
The governor expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the poll in his unit and described it as orderly.
He said if what happened at his polling unit happened in other polling units where voting took place, then the election could be described as free and fair.
Fashola, who said he had waited on the queue for more than two hours before he could vote, explained that if all voters could be orderly fewer hitches would be recorded in the polls.
The governor expressed the optimism that the polls would be successful and urged citizens to do all they ensure the elections were credible.
NAN reports that Fashola, who spotted a white Kaftan, accompanied by his wife, Abimbola and son, cast his vote at exactly 3:55pm. (NAN)
banker of the day - FREE banker tips from experts