Confusion marked the start of voting in parts of Lokogoma, Abuja, on Saturday as a voter and media personality, Inya Ode, lamented the absence of her designated polling unit at EFAB Estate during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
Ode, who said she arrived early to cast her ballot at Polling Unit 030, expressed shock at finding no electoral officials, materials or signs of voting activity at the location.
“This is actually supposed to be the polling unit 030 in EFAB estate, Lokogoma, where I came to vote, thanks to my husband who dragged me but this is the polling unit and there is nothing here,” she wrote on her Facebook page, sharing a video of what appeared to be an empty street.
She further noted that even security operatives in the area seemed unaware of any arrangements for the election.
“In fact, the security people are very unaware of anything happening, but you see what’s happening at the end of this polling unit, people are just having a great time exercising. It has become like an outdoor gym, so it is a bit confusing. Was the polling unit moved? There is no information as per that. Will the election happen, will it not happen? It is already 8:27, and some polling units have already been set up,” she lamented.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier announced that voting across the six area councils of the FCT would commence by 8:30 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m.
As of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the polling unit in EFAB Estate had been relocated or omitted from the final list of approved voting points — a development that could potentially disenfranchise affected residents.
