Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over what he describe as faulty electoral process in the ongoing Edo gubernatorial election.
Recall that Mr Obaseki who is also the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, candidate had to queue up for an hour or two before he could cast his vote at polling unit 19, ward 4, Oredo local government area of the state.
Speaking after casting his vote, Mr Obaseki complained about the delay in the process, saying that he expected a better planning by the electoral umpire.
He said: “I expected that INEC would have prepared better for this election. I waited for one and half hours on the queue before exercising my franchise, it’s a beat disappointing,” he said.
“Giving that this is a sole day election, I expected a better planning for this election. Card readers were very slow and that’s the situation everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, cast his vote at Ugboko ward 4, unit 26, Orhionmwon Local Government Council of the state at about 9: 25 a.m.
Mr Ize-Iyamu joined the queue at his polling unit located at Iguododo Primary school at about 9:20a.m. before casting his vote at about 9: 25a.m.
Speaking to journalists after exercising his franchise, Ize-Iyamu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the peaceful and smooth electoral process.
He also commended INEC for adhering to the COVID-19 protocol.
“The process is good and going on smoothly; there is no thuggery and violence, the place is peaceful and calm.
“I am happy that INEC has a thermometer to check temperature and they also give out face masks to our people.
“We encourage our people to come out in batches so they can strictly adhere to the COVID-19 protocols of social distances”.
