TELL Magazine

from ISIAKA YUSUF

The 2023 Presidential elections at Ofada ward 2, polling Station 018 , Obafemi Owode local government of Ogun state today started at a very slow pace. The development was due to  the late arrival of INEC officials. Although anxious voters had thronged the premises of the Obafemi Owode local government primary school, Arigbawonwo, Mowe, used as the polling Station as early as  7.00am, the INEC officials didn’t arrive until 11.02 am. 

The officials comprising  three NYSC members and one other Assistant Presiding Officers began voters accreditation immediately. Three  BVAS machines brought worked perfectly and accreditation was simple and smooth. By 2.30pm,  the officials counted and issued numbers to everyone on the queue to ensure that nobody joined the  queue in line with the electoral guidelines. 

Although there were two police officers at the polling Centre since 8.00am, there was apprehension in the atmosphere because the place was crowded. Whatever fear that might have been entertained by some people fizzled out with the arrival of soldiers around 12.46pm. 

As 3.40pm, there were about 300 voters out of the 3,525 on the registered voters list, still waiting for accreditation.  

The elections were peaceful and smooth.