Lokoja –  The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Kogi, Plateau and Nasarawa States, Dr Abdulkadir Oniyangi, has expressed delight over the massive turnout of voters for Saturday’s National Assembly polls.

Oniyangi who spoke to newsmen after monitoring the election in Lokoja, Okene, Ogaminana, Adavi, Itakpe and Osara on Saturday, was particularly happy over the peaceful and orderly conduct of voters at all the polling centres visited.

The commissioner who stated that he had been part of the country’s democratic process since the first republic, said that Saturday’s exercise was far better than what it used to be.

He observed that women constituted two-third of the voters, commending them for their perseverance and commitment to the development of the nation’s democracy.

The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmadu, described the conduct of voters in the state as a wonderful change that portended great hope and brighter future for the country.

He also expressed satisfaction with the massive security back up provided by the police, SSS, Army, Navy, Civil Defence, Immigrations, Customs, Prisons and the FRSC.

A visit to Lokoja, Okene, Okehi, Ihima and some parts of Kogi West, reports that the election did not go without some hitches.

For instance, accreditation could not start on time at some polling units in Ganaja, Oworo, Karaworo and Maiyaki areas of Lokoja and some other parts of the state, due to late arrival of election officials and materials.

In Bassa Local Government Area of the state, there were shortage of election materials in some polling units while a case of ballot snatching was recorded in an area in Lokoja.

In the Bareke area of Okene, it was observed that the INEC ad hoc staff in charge of one of the polling unit did not follow the guidelines to the letter.

Surprised by this development, Oniyangi and Ahmadu said that the election in the polling unit might be cancelled.

There were also cases of missing names in some of the polling units visited, a development INEC officials said might be due to the removal of names of multiple registrants.

In Kabba, Mopa, Ayetoro-Gbede, Isanlu, Iyara, Iyamoye Ekirin-Adde and Odo-Ape towns in Okunland, the atmosphere was peaceful as both young and old  turned out en masse to cast their votes in an orderly manner. (NAN)