Election observers commend INEC as accreditation commences smoothly

Election observers in Ilesa, the home town of  Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of  Osun, have   commended INEC for ensuring timely arrival of  electoral  materials and election officials  at  polling units.

Some of the  observers gave the commendation while speaking  in Ilesa West and East Local Governments.

They said the early arrival of the officials would be crucial to a successful outcome of the poll.

Mr Terfa Hemen, an observer from the Centre for Democracy Development, said  he had monitored six polling units in Ilesa West and Ilesa East, adding that INEC officials  arrived  before 8am.

He said the timely arrival of  INEC officials  for the accreditation exercise was  indicative of an election that would be  credible and fair.

Mrs Cynthia Mbamalu, an observer from Youths Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Development, said the conduct of INEC was commendable compared  to previous elections.

Mbamalu said the INEC officials  arrived at the polling units on time and accreditation started at 8 a.m. in most of the polling units in Ilesa West and Ilesa  East.

A PDP agent, Mr Oluwaseun Oni, also commended INEC for the timely accreditation of  voters.

Oni  also described the turn out of  voters  for the accreditation exercise as impressive.

An APC  agent, Mrs Victoria Olaide,  said  INEC officials  arrived before 8 a.m. for the accreditation exercise.

Olaide,  who said the timely accreditation of voters was commendable, expressed optimism that the election would be free and fair.

According to a PPA stalwart, Adekunle Busuyi, the proper provision and distribution of election materials would ensure a hitch-free exercise.

Mr Florence Olatunji, a 68-year-old- woman, who was accredited at Unit 1, Ward 8, Ifofin, said she came out for accreditation as early as 6:45 a.m..

Olatunji, however,  urged INEC to also ensure that  voting commenced  at the at appropriate time.

Another voter, Mr Olayiwola Kunle, at Unit 5, Ward 3, Isinki, also commended INEC for its timely commencement of the  accreditation exercise.

The accreditation went on smoothly in most of the polling units in the town.

There were also long queues  of voters waiting to be accredited in most of the polling units visited while there was heavy security presence.

Some party agents  in Ile-Ife urged INEC to rectify some discrepancies in the exercise

Ms Tinuke Makinde, who was at  Ward 1, Unit 3 in Moore, Ile-Ife, said that she was satisfied with the  impressive turnout of voters.

Makinde, who is of the Labour Party, said  some prospective voters could not find their names on INEC  registers.

Mr Waheed Fatunmise of the APC also urged INEC to resolve the outstanding issues.

The Assistant Electoral Officer in  Ife Central Local Government,  Ms Oyedele Jelilat, said all the issues raised would be addressed

The SDP candidate Olusegun Akinwusi got accredited at 9 28 a.m. at Holy Saviour Primary School at Unit 4, Ward 9 at Oke Otubu Modakeke, Ife East.

He expressed satisfaction with the turnout of voters and the conduct of electoral officers.

At Ward 1, Moore in Ile-Ife, some voters had difficulty finding their names on the register and INEC officials were helping them in resolving the problem.

At Ife central,  accreditation was concluded by 9.40 a.m.

At units 1 to 12 in ward 6 at Akarabata Line 1, accreditation was almost concluded at 9.37 a.m.

Security agents, mainly police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence personnel, maintained orderliness while accreditation began at units 19 and 20 in Ward 4, located at Old Governor's Office area of Osogbo.

Accreditation went on smoothly as many of the voters did not have difficulties locating their names on the voters register.

The Presiding Officer for the ward, Mr Festus Okoli said, 'The accreditation has been orderly and voters are cooperating with us.

' With the turnout of voters, we are optimistic that we will accredit them all by 12 noon.'' (NAN)