Austin Ogwuda reported from Asaba that election was peacefully held in the state capital, without any violence, although some eligible voters who lost their cards were disappointed because they were not allowed to cast their vote.

Despite the intimidating security presence, residents turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. However, the order restricting motorists from entering or leaving Asaba was not respected as vehicles were seen plying the Benin/Asaba highway.  A visit to the Asaba Head Bridge showed that the bridge contrary to the order announced by the Delta State Government motorists moved freely.

Festus Ahon who monitored the election  in the election in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Isoko South, Isoko North and Patani, reported that ballot materials were released to the wards in Ughelli North at about 9:15 am, same in Ughelli South and Patani, save for the two Isoko Local Governments were materials released at about 10:30am.

In Igbide, Isoko South ward, seven electoral officers were whisked to the palace of monarch for safety for lack of adequate security. It was same in Uzere, Navy and soldiers were deployed in the council area to ensure violence free and peaceful election as they patrol the major highway and some crisis prone areas of the council, thus giving a warning signal to any would be trouble maker to steer clear.
He said that one general phenomenon that characterized the exercise was the absence of the names of some voters in the  voter;s register just as some persons also complained that they  lost their voters card and temporary voters slip issued by INEC.

Speaking to Vanguard at Eku, Mr. Mathew Okoro advised all contestants to accept the verdict of INEC in the spirit of sportsmanship to allow Delta state move forward and be part of the 2011 general elections in the country.

Gbagi, Utuama hail polls

Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi who spoke to Vanguard said the election was peaceful in his area and that after the victory of his party, he would initiate a move for permanent reconciliation of forces.

PDP gubernatorial running mate, Prof Amos Utuama, SAN, who cast his vote at 12.53 pm at Unit 4 of Jeremi Ward in Ughelli South Local Government Area commended INEC and the various security agencies for the orderly manner voters conducted themselves at the Unit 4, Jeremi Ward.

He said: “INEC has done very well in their mobilization since yesterday. The materials arrived quite early yesterday and information reaching me is that all part of the local government (Ughelli South) has been covered.”

Utuama also commended the voters for conducting themselves orderly and also for their diligence in keeping their voters register since 2007 when the last voter registration exercise was held.

Early results
Early results from Warri South indicated that the DPP was leading. In Unit 15, Ward 11, Arubayi Okumagba area, in Warri South local government, out of the total votes of 848 in the unit,  DPP scored 821, 22 votes PDP- 4, RPN -1.

There was no voting in polling unit 13, Okumagba 1, Idiargbe area, as the ballot boxes were hijacked. There were no policemen and that gave room for the hijackers to strike. At Ejeudarho, unit 10, ward 12 in Warri South local government area, the total votes cast was 541 with the DPP scoring 531, PDP -7, RPN -1 and 2 voided.

At unit four and six, Frank Alimen area, there was not voting materials but at Link Road, unit 13, the total votes cast is 244 with DPP scoring 241, PDP – 2 and RPN – 1. In unit 5, Okumagba, ward 2, out of the total votes of 431, the DPP got 410, PDP -10, CPC – 2 and DPA – 9. Also in unit 11, ward 12, the DPP got 337, PDP -2, ANPP -1 and votes voided were 60.

When contacted at about 6.00 pm, the electoral officer for Warri South said that no official result had been declared as the Commission was getting ready to start counting at the collation centre. He said there was a lot of a complaint by people, which were inevitable in elections of such nature but said it was generally peaceful. Results pasted at the polling booths and announced publicly showed at some polling units in Asaba showed  that at Uzoigwe  primary school, Asaba, Ward 9,  comprising 6 units,

PDP scored the following 6, 8, 36, 16, 38 and 28 respectively, while DPP polled 47, 64, 115, 100, 50 and 27. At Niger College, Asaba, PDP polled 24 while DPP scored 80 and at Johnbosco primary school Asaba, it was PDP 28 and DPP 91.

At Oghara in Ethiope East Local Government Area, the PDP reportedly won in the area while a source said that out of the total results from 14 local government areas, the party was leading in the re-run.

There was, however, a large turnout of voters in Abraka, the country home of the Democratic People’s Party, DPP, gubernatorial candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, Warri, Agbarha_Otor, Uzere, Igbide areas of the state, Warri, Agbarha-Otor, Uzere and Igbide