INEC ad-hoc workers still deployed midway into election in Enugu

Over five hours after the commencement of elections, some ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were still at the INEC headquarters in Enugu being deployed.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that some of the ad-hoc staff, mainly collation officers, are being posted to various parts of the state, even to the farthest council area of the state, Uzo Uwani.

NAN reports that as at the time of filing this report at about 1:30 p.m, the ad-hoc workers were in the INEC auditorium struggling to get their postings.

One of the collation officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that she was yet to be posted to anywhere for collation of results.

“This development is sad after the training and other personal sacrifice I have put in,’’ she noted.

Meanwhile, malfunction of card readers in most polling units in Ebonyi almost marred the smooth conduct of the elections in Ebonyi.

The State Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe told journalists at the Nwakpu market Square ward 003 that the card was hindering the timely and smooth operation of the exercise.

“The card reader is not as functional as we were meant to belief.

“I tried to capture my finger print but it was not possible but I thank INEC for the wisdom of allowing the electorate to vote after verifying the PVC,” he said.

He expressed satisfaction with the orderliness and conduct of the electorate based on reports from the state.