Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Voters in Abia State have complained bitterly over the late commencement of polls in parts of Abia State.
As at 9:20 am when this report was being filed, INEC officials were yet to be sighted at the polling units at Amuzukwu Girls Secondary School Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
Enthusiastic voters at the polling units at the centre were embittered and disappointed over the absence of INEC officials at the centre.
Some of the voters told our Correspondent that they were at the polling unit as early as 7:00 am but could not be attended to.
One of them, Johnson Iroegbu, said he was disappointed that despite assurances by INEC, polls were yet to commence at the centre.
Another voter, Chinedu Okorafor also expressed anger that INEC officials had not come.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, party agent at the unit, Osita Ogbonna, said he did not understand what INEC was planning to do.
He said he had been trying to call INEC officials but they were not picking his calls.
Similarly, Labour Party agent, Chigozie Ukaegbu, said he was beginning to doubt the sincerity of INEC to conduct a credible poll if they could not start on time.
He wondered why INEC would delay polls at the centre.
But when contacted, Head Voter Education, INEC , Mrs Rebecca Jim, said she would call the Electoral Officer in the Local Government to know why the delay.
She, however, called back to know if the INEC officials had arrived, but they had not as at 9:20 am.
Mrs Jim told our Correspondent that the EO had told her the INEC officials deployed to the centre ought to have arrived.
The story is the same at Umuezeagwu Town Hall also at Amuzukwu; and Ajata Isieke Ibeku where voters had trooped out early but were frustrated over the late arrival of INEC officials.
