By Reporters
Owerri – The Governorship and State House of Assembly elections began early in some parts of Imo on Saturday contrary to what happened during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Feb. 23.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that accreditation and voting commenced by 8:40 am at many places but late in others.
At Umudara Hall Olumgbe Polling Unit 011 in Orlu Local Government Area, Imo West, voting started by 8.40a.m.
The Presiding Officer, Mr Agene Sunday, said that the Smart Card Reader was working well but complained of inadequate non-sensitive materials which caused a slight delay of process.
Also at Umuokpara Hall 008 in Orlu Local Government Area, the Presiding Officer Miss Jacinta Nwachukwu said the materials arrived on time, while voting started by 9:45 am.
She, however, complained of no ink to mark the finger of voters which slowed down the process of voting.
However, at Amucha Ward 1, Duruobiaku National School Njaba Local Government Area, INEC officials arrived before 8 a.m awaiting party agents to assess materials before voting could commence.
Accreditation of party agents was in progress by 9a.m at Central School Eziama Obaire, Nkwerre Local Government Area, (Booth 006) , while at Central School Eziama Obaire Nkwerre Booth 007, party agents were still being awaited at 8:30a.m.
At Akabor Community School, Akabor Booth 007, voting started about 8:38a.m.
Unity Primary School Aladimma Booth 002 witnessed the late arrival of materials at 9a.m, with few voters waiting to cast their ballots.
Voting commenced in some areas in Obowo Local Government Area and Ihite Uboma Local Government Area in Imo North by 9.30 a.m.
The electorate turned out en masse to vote but the Smart Card Reader malfunctioned in Booth 001, Central School, Umulogho, and Booth 002, Mercy Hospital, Umulogho in Obowo.
In Ikenegbu Ward 1, Owerri Municipal, voting started at 10:25a.m with security presence, while Ikenegbu Ward 2, had yet to receive election materials at 10:30 a.m. with voters and security personnel waiting.
In Ogbuaga Abba Booth 0O6 in Nwangele Local Government Area, Imo West, INEC officials arrived by 9a.m, while voting commenced by 9:30a.m.
At Umunwoke Hall, Umunime Okohia Booth 006 A and B, where the governorship candidate of Accord Party, Chief Ihedi Ohakim, voted, the elections were smooth as the people lined up peacefully to vote.
Mr Twin Elijah, the Presiding Officer, explained that the exercise was peaceful but that one Smart Card Reader developed a problem which he was trying to resolve.
At Umunwoke Hall, Booth 008 where Chief Uche Nwosu the Action Alliance candidate voted, the atmosphere was peaceful.
The Presiding Officer, Henry Aguikenna, said there were no challenges and added that voting started in the area by 9 a.m.
At Central School Dimi na Nume in Isu Local Government Area, voting started at 9a.m. while at Community Primary School Umueme Obike, Ngor – Okpala, Booth 005, accreditation and voting started at 9a.m.
Voting started by after 10a.m at Umukpe Village Hall Amaimo in Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo East.
The Presiding Officer, Onyebuchi Eke said the elections had been peaceful. (NAN)
