At least eight BVAS machines have been carted away in Delta and Cross Rivers’ polling units in the ongoing general elections.
It was learnt that the polling units were attacked by gunmen and make away with the machines.
Independent National Electoral Commission INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu said, hours after voting commenced in many parts of the country.
Mr Yakubu, who briefed journalists in Abuja, said voting continued in the two polling areas as backup BVAS machines were provided.
He also said voting was delayed in a part of Niger State due to an attack by bandits in the area,
Mr Yakubu also acknowledged that there was a late arrival of electoral officials and materials in many polling units across Nigeria. Nothing that the commission would resolve the problem by ensuring that anyone that was in the queue by 2:30 am would be allowed to vote, no matter how long it takes.
He said; “As Nigerians aware, I should say, this is the first time since 2011 that a general election has not been postponed. It’s part of the Commission’s determination to ensure that we continue to do what is right so a and we’re going to continue to do so for the day intermittently, until they formally open the collassion center.
“So far, so good, generally speaking, voting is going on nationwide. The bimodal voter accreditation system that evens deployed nationwide for the first time has been functioning optimally in most parts of the country. And we actually less and less complaints about the functionality of the bimodal accreditation system.
“Based on the reports that we have received from the various States of the Federation, and our office in the Federal Capital Territory, some challenges were identified.
“One of which is the inability of the commission in a number of places to go to the polling units before scheduled time which is 8:30am. Some of the polling units will be delayed by the line with our policy.
“Any Nigerian who get to the polling units before 2:30 will have the opportunity to vote no matter how long it takes, until the last of us on the queue, no matter how long It takes.
“Some of the reasons why we couldn’t open the polling units on time, one is the perennial problem of Logistics . I think in 2023 will conquered the challenge of election materials in various locations. Yes, they’re very complementary on them. But generally speaking, will deliver the hundreds of millions of ballot papers and excel sheets that were supposed to deliver for the election.
“But another contributing factor to the opening is actually the insecurity in the country.
“For instance, eight BVAS machines were carted away in Delta and Cross Rivers’ polling units attacked by gunmen and make away with the machines.
“In Oshimili local government area of Delta State some gunmen attacked a polling unit and 2 BVAS machine were carted away in the process. But we determine that the process much continue.
“We replaced the lost machine and reinforce security and voting continue in the location.
“Similarly gunmen also attack one of the polling units in Cross Rivers State and made away 6Bvas machines.”