(#NIGERIA DECIDES2023) Kwara: INEC cancels poling unit’s result over ballot-snatching

Wole Adedeji, Ilorin

Just as the results of Saturday’s elections ae being awaited in Kwara State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced the cancellation of results at Tsaragi, in Edu Local Government Area of the state.

This was because of a reported case of ballot snatching at Tsaragi Polling Unit 10 by some alleged hoodlums, on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, there was violence at Anifowoshe ‘ward 08’ in Ubandawaki area of Ilorin West Local Government making about the only such case reported earlier on Saturday in the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Kwara.

It was the polling unit of the former Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi who was contesting the PDP Senatorial election the trouble emanated almost when he was about to vote.

Trouble vegan to build up when INEC’s he election materials did arrive on time in most of the voting units of Ilorin, the State capital which doubles as the Kwara Central Senatorial District. The election materials did not arrive until 1.30 p.m. The voters had started becoming impatient by 1.00 p.m before their anger grew at the time the ex-Minister arrived the venue.

Meanwhile, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Garuba Attahiru Madami declared on Sunday afterternoon that the Tsaragi Polling Unit would be cancelled. Tsaragi is in Edu Local Government Area of the state.

Madami told the Newsmen that the cancellation was in line with the estant rules guiding the conduct of the elections.

Speaking on the observed late arrival of materials and INEC on Saturday, Madami lamented the problem particularly in some parts of Ilorin West Local Government Area which is also the State capital and the subsequent late commencement of voting hitches at Registration Area Centre (RAC).

His wirds; “It took us up to 11a.m. before will finished the distribution of logistics and immediately I knew we are starting late. I extended the time of voting until the last person on queue voted”.

The REC said out of 2,887 polling units in Kwara only one polling unit had its ballot boxes snatched and that was Tsaragi. The development however was still commendsble compared to the past exoerirnces in the State leading to series of court cases.

The REC denied an allegation that INEC used vehicles belonging to one of the political parties involved in the election to distribute INEC election materials on Saturday.

Meanwhile, collation of seven out of sixteen Local Governments had been done at the time of fiming this report while that of others, particularly the distant Local Governments from the State capital were still being awaited.

Ends.