Shortage of Ballot paper, late commencement characterize Plateau LG Elections

The Plateau local government elections scheduled to commence by 8:am of Wednesday has experienced delay in commencement in most of the polling units across the state.

When our reporter visited the collation center of Mushere West Ward at LEA Primary School Horop, of Bokkos Local Government Area, by 9:34 am, some polling unit election officials were yet to receive their materials to move to their respective polling units.

The election at polling unit 011 Nomadic Primary School, Mushere West started at 9:50 am shortly after the presiding officer took time and explained the election procedures to the electorates and solicited their cooperation for a peaceful and hitch free exercise.

He explained to them some of the guidelines that gives special recognition to the aged people, pregnant women, people with Disabilities among others.

The polling unit at Nomadic Primary School with code 011 has 442 total registered voters, but the presiding officer appealed to them that the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission PLASIEC, gave them 332 ballot papers which is 75% of the total registered.

Also, at polling unit 007, Primary School Margif in Mushere West with a total of 1115 registered only 633 ballot papers was delivered to them for the exercise.

Responding to inquiry on the shortage of ballot papers, the head of media of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, Koro Yakubu said the Commission is aware of the shortage and they are on top of the situation.

She said the experience is not a general situation but to some wards or polling units and appealed to the electorates to exercise patience as the Commission is handling the issue to ensure no voter is dis-enfranchised as a result of ballot paper shortage.

One unique thing about the election as observed by our reporter in the field is the introduction of Voter Identification System, that allows voters with lost cards to vote once they have their Voter Identification number and the system authenticate them.

As at the time of filling this report, the election is peaceful in most of the polling units in Bokkos Local Government Area.