Thugs attack polling units and cart away five BVAS machines
It has been reported by the Independent National Electoral Commission that thugs attacked three polling units and carted away five Bimodal Voter Authentication Systems.
The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this while reporting in Abuja. He also gave some reasons as to why some polling units were opened late. He said insecurity in some states as well as logistics issues were part of what caused the delay.
Mahmood said that polling units in Niger, Delta, and Katsina states were attacked by thugs, and eight BVAS were carted away; he noted that three BVAS were later recovered.
The INEC chairman has assured us that, in line with their policy, any Nigerian who is in the queue will have the opportunity to vote no matter how long it takes until the last person in the queue before 2:30 p.m. votes.
He further explained that thugs attacked them in some areas. For instance, in Alawa Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, bandits launched an attack, not necessarily on INEC offices or facilities but in the area. Also in the Oshimili LGA of Delta State, thugs attacked a polling unit, and two BVAS machines were lost in the process. They were able to replace the stolen BVAS machine, reinforce security agencies, and vote in that polling unit.
Thugs now go after the BVAS machines instead of ballot papers or boxes.