Elections are currently underway in some polling units across Jos North on Sunday, February 4th, following the rescheduling of rerun elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Despite the previous day’s disruptions due to the absence of crucial electoral materials, voters have turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise.
While INEC has made efforts to provide the lacking materials that halted the elections initially scheduled for Saturday, some polling units are still experiencing delays in receiving election materials.
Speaking to voters at the polling units, many expressed relief and joy at being able to cast their votes after the previous day’s challenges.
Hon. Ibrahim Musa Ashoms, the Commissioner of Information and Communication in Plateau State, who was present at some polling units, stressed the importance of ensuring that all eligible voters can exercise their franchise. “It is disheartening that the process is having glitches leading to people voting on Sunday,” Ashoms said in an interview with journalists. “INEC as an umpire should not take sides but be fair to all and be professional, allowing people to vote for their choice.”
In another development, INEC has suspended Fred Ogboji, the electoral officer in charge of Jos North local government, following the disappearance of Federal House of Representatives ballot papers from 16 polling units in the area. Isah Idakwo, the head of electoral operations at the INEC Plateau state office, announced the suspension as part of an ongoing investigation into the missing ballot papers incident in Jos North. Ogboji has been directed to hand over to Elekwa Onyemauche, the local government supervisor.
