By Jonathan Ugbal, Elijah Ugani, Ushang Ewa and Itiunbe Atunka
Collation has commenced across the 117 polling units in the 10 wards of Obudu local government area in the state house of assembly bye-election.
A total of 74,363 eligible voters are expected to have cast their votes but low turnout in some areas, malfunctioning card readers affected the elections which has witnessed no major security concern.
It is unclear whether the PDP’s candidate, Mrs. Abbey Ukpukpen voted as sources say no one has seen her or heard from her.
Meanwhile, the rear right windshield of a white Toyota Hilux van belonging to an aide to governor Ben Ayade on research and branding, Mr. Christian Odey popularly referred to as ‘Ukpan’ and ‘Engineer Dig Down’ was shattered at Bebuabong community which is the community of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Bendebel Ishamali.
There were also disagreements at a polling unit at Anderson street in Obudu urban.
At the St. John’s Primary School in Utugwang, the two card readers deployed there had failed to function till about 10:30 AM.
One of the card readers began functioning with voting commencing at about 11:00 AM.
A few cases of people not been able to vote due to the inability of the machines to read their cards were recorded at polling stations in Anderson street, St. John’s primary school, Utugwang as well as the polling units at St. Stephen’s primary school and the town hall in Ukwel-Obudu road.
Meanwhile, a combined team of armed personnel from the police; Nigeria’s secret police, SSS; Nigeria Customs Service; Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps; Nigerian Army as well as unarmed personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps were patrolling the streets.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa was at the local government collation center alongside the Resident Elelctoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dr. Frankland Briyai.
Meanwhile, Governor Ayade is said to be briefed on every major incident as it happens and is waiting for the collation and results to be announced.
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