BAYELSANS VOTE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ELECTION 06-04-24
By Sadiq Aminu Bayelsans Vote in Local Government Council Election.
Voters in Bayelsa State trooped out to various polling units on Saturday to vote Chairmen for the eight Local government councils and councillors for the one hundred and five wards in the State.
The Polls which were relatively peaceful however witnessed late arrival of materials in some areas.
Eligible voters across Bayelsa went to the polls to exercise their franchise in local government council election to elect new chairmen and councilors for the eight Local government areas of the State.
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The election which passed off peacefully was however characterized by late arrival of officials of the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) and election materials at polling units in some parts of the state.
There were reports of alleged hijack of electoral materials in about 5 wards in Sagbama LGA with party agents alleging that the materials for Wards 11, 14, 7, 13 and 6 were seized.
Governor Douye Diri, however gave thumbs up to the state independent electoral commission for the organisation of the local government election in the state.
The governor who spoke to journalists shortly after voting at 10.15am alongside his wife, Dr Gloria, at his Kalamaowei wari unit 4, ward 6 in Sampou community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area said reports available to him indicated that the poll was generally peaceful across the state.
At Ofoni community in Sagbama local government area of the state, materials arrived at 9am and voting commenced by 10:30am.
The State deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, who voted at the Community Primary School Ofoni, by 10:36am, urged BYSIEC to improve on logistics arrangements for the polls.
Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Abraham Ingobere commended voters in Brass Local Government Area for their peaceful and orderly conduct.
Responding to questions from Journalists shortly after casting his vote at Unit 3 of Ward 10 in Sangana, the Speaker said the process was hitch-free and satisfactory.
Similarly, at Twon-Brass, the Brass Local Government Area headquarters the polls were generally peaceful.
At Ward 9 of Brass LGA, one of the Chairmanship Candidates, Mr. Lucky Febo equally expressed satisfaction with the process and hailed the electorate, community leaders and stakeholders for ensuring a peaceful electioneering atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Community Development Committee, CDC, Chairman of Egweama, in Ward 6, Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha wants BYSIEC to improve on arrangements in subsequent Local Government elections in the state.
The Commissioner in charge of Media ad Publicity at BYSIEC. Dr. Osomu Elliot said the Commission would work to improve on the process, urging political parties and candidates to play by the rule.
With the election concluded, attention shifts to the collation and declaration of results.