Late arrival of voting materials characterised the presidential and national assembly elections in Benin City, capital of Edo State on Saturday.
Most polling centers visited by our correspondent at Oredo local government area in the city center, witnessed large turnout of voters from as early 6.30 am.
They however had to wait patiently for INEC officials to commence the voting process.
At Oredo Ward 4, Units 19-29, Emokpae Primary School, Mission Road, voting materials arrived at about 8.36.
The State, Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his wife will vote at unit 19 of Ward 4.
Materials arrived Oredo Ward 12, Units 1 – 6, by 9.30 am.
Speaking with journalists, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwoye Iyamu, expressed displeasure over late arrival of election materials and officials of INEC.
Hesaid: “The materials and officials are just coming at about 9:30 when election supposed to start by 8:30.
“People have been here since and waiting for them, but materials are just coming now and this is not good for the election.
“But we hope they would make up the lost time and they told us that anybody that is here would vote but this is not good for the election.”
Voting was also yet to commence at Oredo Ward 1, Units 1-6, Garrick Memorial School, Ekehuan Road, by 10 am.
Voting was however was in full swing at Ikpoba-Okha local government area when our correspondent visited.
There was a large row of voters at Ward 7, Ologbotsere Primary School, Upper Sakbonba Road, where there are a total of 57 posing units.
Sixty-seven year old Gabriel Kayode Iyasere who voted at at Ward 7, Unit 27, urged the authorities to allowed the people to vote their consciences and let their votes count.
