THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is giving special attention to nursing mothers, pregnant women, disabled and elderly persons in the ongoing governorship election in Ekiti State.
The election, which is currently holding in over 2,445 polling units across 16 local government areas, is being contested by 16 candidates.
In Court Hall/Aafin Polling Unit 08 at Omuoekiti, Ekiti East LGA, The ICIR reporter in the area observed that INEC officials prioritized nursing mothers and elderly people.
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This development however caused a brief chaos before security operatives intervened.
The ICIR reporter also observed that elderly people were allowed to cast their votes first in Ekunrun Polling Unit 011 at OyeII, Oye-Ekiti LGA.
Three hundred and ninety-two voters are expected to cast their votes in the polling unit.
The ICIR reporter at Ward 4 Polling Unit 014/Erinwa, in Ise/Orun, Ekiti South LGA, observed that special attention was given to the elderly, visibly pregnant women and disabled persons.
While the election is going on, APC agents were seen getting names of some voters before they go ahead to vote.
In Ward 2 Polling Unit 001 at Okeruku, Ikere, Ekiti south LGA, The ICIR reporter observed that accreditation and voting are being conducted simultaneously with male and female voters placed on separate queues.
Priority was also given to elderly people and mothers with babies.
Also, the INEC adhoc staff are permitting the elderly (who need support) to choose who to accompany them to the cubicles where they will cast their votes.
Argument ensued between voters and an INEC official who was accused of allowing some voters to the front line at Ward 07 (Idamudu1), Polling Unit 006 of Emure, Ekiti South LGA.
At Polling Unit 006, Ward 05 of Bolorunduru Obajoda II, Ekiti East LGA, the electoral officials announced two queues – one for people living with disabilities, the aged, pregnant women and the other for able bodied individuals.
However, the oldest voter in Okesa at Ward 10, Polling Unit 004, Madam Rabi Busari Ilesanmi, could not be registered due to the failure of the biometric machine to recognise her fingerprint despite several attempts.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M