INEC Messes Up Ekiti Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has postponed indefinitely voting in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Hussain Pai, announced the postponement early today, saying that there are insufficient material for voting to take place in Ado and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Governments.

The Senatorial District is made up of five Local Governments including Ado, Ekiti West, Ijero, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Efon Local Governments.

The INEC boss in the state, however, said that election will proceed for one out of two House of Representatives members in the district.

The postponement of the election means that a senator and a House of Representatives member will not be elected today.

Mr. Babafemi Ojudu of the Action Congress of Nigeria and Mr. Ayo Fayose of the Labour Party are said to be front runners for the senatorial seat in the district.

The mood in the State was relatively peaceful in other local governments where accreditation exercise was ongoing.

There are 16 Local governments in Ekiti State and 750753 registered voters were expected to elect six reps and three Senators in 2195 voting units.

There were reports of armed thugs arrested yesterday, including the brother of Senator Arise who is vying for the senate seat in Ekiti North Senatorial District.

Meanwhile, a  former PDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, was seen distributing money this morning in Oye.

There were some clashes as youths could not agree over the sharing formula.

By Simon Ateba/ Oye, Ekiti State