The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in response to delays during the Edo State governorship election, has announced an extension of voting hours in affected areas. The decision was made to ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast their ballots, particularly in locations where the process started later than expected.
A statement issued by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and a member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed the extension. The statement noted that while many polling units across the state opened on time, there were reports of late starts in certain locations, prompting INEC to take swift action.
Haruna explained that the Commission’s primary concern is to avoid disenfranchising any voter. He emphasized that INEC’s regulations guarantee that anyone in the queue by 2:30 pm will be allowed to vote, regardless of delays. “To ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, the Commission wishes to reiterate that, in line with our Regulations and Guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last voter in the queue, who arrived at the polling unit by 2:30 pm, has voted,” the statement read.
Additionally, INEC directed its Edo State office to provide backup power at polling units and collation centers that were affected by the delays. The aim is to ensure that both voting and the collation of results proceed without further interruptions. Backup generators have been deployed to these locations to avoid disruptions due to power outages.
“The Commission continues to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Edo State from our situation room at the National Headquarters in Abuja.
“Our monitoring indicates the early commencement of polls in many polling units, but there are also reports of delayed starts in some locations.
“To ensure that no voter is disenfranchised, the Commission wishes to reiterate that, in line with our Regulations and Guidelines, voting will be extended wherever it commenced late and will continue until the last voter in the queue, who arrived at the polling unit by 2:30 pm has voted.
“Accordingly, we have drawn the attention of our office in Eo State to ensure that, where necessary, there is adequate power supply from our backup electric generators in the affected polling units or ward collation centres,” the statement read.
