In the ongoing governorship and state assembly election in Lagos State, thugs in large numbers have invaded the Adejare Polling Unit in Ilasa, Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, to disperse voters who were waiting for officials and ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin voting.
An eyewitness, Arome Solomon, reported that as of 10:12 am, INEC officials were nowhere to be found, leaving many people stranded until the thugs in the adjoining street invaded the polling unit with daggers and other sharp objects to disperse them.
“Policemen are also not present. The people have all run away and are not willing to return,” he added.
The situation has caused chaos and confusion among voters, and there are concerns that it may affect the credibility of the election.
Details are yet to emerge on the motives behind the attack, but security personnel have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
The electoral body, INEC, is yet to release an official statement on the incident, and it is not clear if voting will continue in the affected polling unit or if it will be postponed.
The 2023 elections have been marred by violence and electoral malpractice in some parts of the country, and this latest incident underscores the need for the government and security agencies to take steps to ensure a peaceful and credible election.
Punch
