Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, cast his vote at 8.40am at his Ward 6, Unit 4 Centre at his hometown, Sampou in Opokuma/Kolokuma Local Council.
Speaking afterwards, Diri expressed satisfaction with the smooth process of accreditation and voting, especially the effectiveness of BIVAS, adding that if the same situation was applicable in other polling units, INEC has improved from past elections.
However, he expressed worry over the alleged attempt to disenfranchise some voters, especially Peoples Democrtatic Party (PDP) members and party agents in Basambiri-Nembe. They were disallowed from entering their communities last Friday evening ahead of yesterday’s polls.
This was in addition to the reported abduction of an INEC official, carting away of election materials in Sagbama Ward 6 by some hoodlums, as well as the boat mishap that led to loss of sensitive voting materials in Southern Ijaw, for which he commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its prompt action.
He reiterated his call for a free, fair and violence-free process, especially in Nembe area, “where only BIVAS will be used for accreditation and voting.”
