Mixed reactions have continued to trail the Saturday general election in Delta – State . While some people complained of intimidation ,others saw the elections as free and fair .
When the Reporter visited some towns in the State many people expressed their feelings .At Umunede , Ika North – East Local Government Area , House of Representatives Candidate for All Progressive Congress ( APC ) , Sebastian Okoh alleged that thugs loyal to the ruling party in the State prevented APC members from voting .
Mr Okoh said : ” I am a House Representative Candidate for APC . I have received complaints from my party members in Ute – Okpu , Umunede and Owa – Alero that APC members were not allowed to vote . The Principal Secretary to Governor Okowa , led some thugs to beat up APC members . The intimidation started Friday evening when one of my members Solomon Ibegbulem was abducted when he went to collect electoral materials. We were denied access to pooling votes . PDP members were ruthless to APC members in Ute – Okpu . No APC member was allowed to vote . The same thing happened in Ward 13 and 14 in Umunede , my town . PDP was aided and abetted by the police to chase away APC and other parties members .
They announced that if anyone was for another party , he or she should leave the places .They were bold shouting PDP all the way. The same intimidation continued in other places ,like Ekuoma and Ute .
” I don’t have faith in this elections ,but we have no option than to plead with my supporters to keep calm as we are peaceful people . While all the intimidation was going on ,I pleaded Whit the Police to come to our aid ,but we were neglected. We have been denied of our franchise “.
When the Reporter visited Ute- Okpu on fact finding mission , two APC agents , Solomon and Marvin whose clothes were torn in shred claimed that they were beaten by PDP supporters and chased out of the ward .
As this reporter was interviewing the victims , PDP supporters led by Hilary Ibegbulem held him hostage , seized his Camera and forcefully wiped out the recorded interview and chased him out of the town.
At Onicha – Ugbo , Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State , people complained of being denied of their voting rights as the card reader rejected their PVCs .
A PDP stalwart in the town who is also a member of Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation , Dr Chris Nwokoba , lamented that outside from voting materials arriving late in his area ,many people were defranchised as the card reader did not recognise their PVCs , ” I am a living witnessed .
I voted during the last election with my PVC, but in this Saturday’s elections ,I could not vote for my candidates as the card reader did not recognise my PVC. I have gone round the country campaigning for my principal , Atiku ,but it is quite unfortunate that I could not vote for him . In all honesty ,outside from the challenges , the elections were peaceful in my area. There was no skirmishes . It went free and fair ,but INEC should make adequate preparation in subsequent elections.
At Abraka , Eku , Sapele ,Warri and Oghara , people said the elections were free and fair as there were no skirmishes ,but majority of the voters complained of the same problems of electoral material not arriving on time and card readers not recognising their PVCS.
However ,Governor Of the State , Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who briefed the press after casting his vote at Ward 2 , Unit 3 ,.Owa – Alero , confirmed the challenges of Card readers not recognising some peoples PVCs and electoral materials not arriving the pooling stations on time .
Okowa who was accompanied by his wife and children to the pooling booth , appealed to the members of the public to remain calm as he had contacted relevant authorities to intervene.
He said : ” So far so good ,the election is free and fair but I am so happy with the conduct of my people .I only have complaints about one particular place near Asaba ,and I have called the Commissioner of police to handle the matter . In all other places , there was no problems .
As at 5 Pm , voting was still going on at St peter Clever College , Aghalokpe , Elume , Sapele and orher areas .
