The Governor of Ebonyi state, Chief David Umahi, and the house of representative member, Mr. Sylvester Ogbaga, representing Abakaliki/Izzi federal constituency have lamented some pockets of failure of card readers in some polling units in the state.
Although, there were high turnout of voters in most polling units in Ebonyi state.
As earlier as 8am, voters have trooped out to their polling units waiting for the arrival of materials and INEC officials to begin accreditation.
In most of the polling units visited, there was no record of violence as the election was peaceful and orderly and security operatives were visibly present.
However, in Amagu Inyigba polling unit 007, the malfunctioning of the card readers delayed the accreditation of voters.
Responding, Sylvester Ogbaga complained that they lost one hour trying to ratify the card readers.
Also, at Amaezekwe polling unit in Ezza South, there were initial hitches with the card readers, said to have been caused by lack of technical know-how by the operators.
The development also hampered the speedy accreditation of the massive crowd at the polling unit.
At Ishieke Uburu polling unit 004, the card readers refused to accreditate voters, heightening tension on when it would be ratified to attend to the crowd.
A voter at Igweferi 008 polling unit in Akofia ward, Ezza South local government area, Engr. Fidelis Nweze stated that though there was high turnout of voters, the card readers were not completely functional.
Nweze also noted that though the matter has been reported to INEC for ratification but pleaded for the extension of time to enable people who had earlier difficulties with the accreditation to vote.
Governor David Umahi, while responding to the development, passed a vote of confidence on the national chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, on conducting a free, fair and credible election.
He stated that every challenge witnessed by the people as a result of the card readers has been forwarded to INEC and has been ratified as at the time of filing this report.
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