Bayelsa Supplementary election: Card readers function optimally in Southern Ijaw LG.

The card readers deployed for the supplimentary poll in Southern Ijaw performed optimally in places visited amidst incidents of ballot box snatching in pockets of polling units in Amasoma Southern Ija LGA.

Voters who expressed their viewson commended  INEC for correcting the lapses of the card readers in December 5, 2015.

Michel Ebi a domestic election observer in Anyama Ijaw noted that the card readers worked effectively in the area.

” The card readers are very effective, they are performing well and we have no problems with it, INEC did well and corrected the problems noticed during the cancelled polls last year.

“If INEC continues this way, we shall be making progress in our electoral system,” he said.

At Peremabiri community, Koulama 1 and Koulama 2 , and Okolobama the card readers were working well and was used for authentication of Permanent Voters Carda and accreditation of voters.

Voting and accreditation commenced simultaneously across the communities visited across in Southern Ijaw.

Delays in arrival of election materials compelled voting to be delayed in Koluama 1 and Koluama 2 as well as Peremabiri and other areas where voting and accreditation started by 12 noon.

At Oporoma,  headquarters of Southern Ijaw turn out was massive and peaceful.

There were reports of violence in Nembe where some five people reportedly lost their lives, but  Police spokesman in Bayelsa , Mr Asinim Butswat said,  a Deputy Superintendent of Police said the incident was yet to be reported.

He said that the election was peaceful in most places.

At Amatolo, Ward 10, Southern Ijaw, more than 100 INEC officials, adhoc staff and election materials were standed at the Registration Area Centre in the area till 12 noon.

It was gathered that the the officials were awaiting to be transported by boat to their polling units.

There was adequate security in places visited in Southern Ijaw.

There were however allegations of snatching of election materials in some units in ward 10 at Amatolo, Southern Ijaw.