Polling is in progress in Local Council elections in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria, despite early delays in the distribution of electoral materials.
Although election materials reportedly arrived each of the 13 Local Government Area headquarters of the State run electoral body, Friday night, reports indicate a slow and late distribution of materials to respective wards and polling units on election day.
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AIT crew monitoring the election observed that as at 9:30 Saturday morning when accreditation was supposed to be over, officials of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, had not even arrived at Station Urban Polling units 001 and 002, in Abakaliki metropolis, few poles away from its State headquarters.
It is a normal Saturday morning game for these group of boys sighted at an improvised nearby pitch playing football.
Unlike the situation on other election days in the country where restrictions are placed on vehicular and other movements, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital is witnessing active business and social activities.
Shops, markets and other public places are opened, while motorists, tricycle and motor bike operators are plying their trades.
Up till election day, the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC is silent on the number of political parties participating in the election, even as opposition parties accuse the electoral body of high handedness.
Already, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the Labour Party, LP in the State are boycotting the exercise.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
