As of 3.27 pm, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission have still not arrived at all five voting wards in the Egbema community, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, 

This is as voters in polling units 011, 012, 013, and 016 at the Egbema Town Hall, Egbema Ward A and polling units 055, Umudike Primary School II, all in Ohaji/Egbema are still waiting for the coming of the officials.

This may not be unconnected to the insecurity that has rocked the area recently, with the activities of gunmen abducting and killing citizens.

In other areas across the country, logistic issues have been reported to also delay the arrival of election materials and officials.

A security expert and former captain in the United States Army, Bishop Johnson, who is also a native of Egbema and was present to vote, told our correspondent in a video call that he and hundreds of other voters have been waiting for the INEC staff since 8 am, noting that none had shown up until past voting time.

INEC had stated that voting would begin at 8.30 am on Saturday and end at 2.30 pm.

In an interview with our correspondent, Johnson said, “It is surprising that up until this time (3.24 pm), no INEC official, BVAS, or any form of INEC presence is seen in Egbema.

“It is unfair. Hundreds of voters have been disenfranchised. We are talking about all five polling units.”

PUNCH.