INEC apologizes for voting delays

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, has apologized for delays experienced in certain polling units across the country.

The Chairman, in a briefing at the central collation center in the capital, Abuja, after widespread reports of late arrival of voting materials and electoral officers in some states.

Mahmood said some delays were due to advice given by the security agencies for the safety of personnel and materials.

He said armed men had attacked some polling units in the southern state of Delta, where at least two voter card verification machines were carted away.

Mr Yakubu said the stolen items were subsequently replaced and security boosted to allow voting to take place.

In Gwoza, north-eastern Nigeria, Yakubu confirmed that insurgents had opened fire on the electoral officers from a mountain top.

In the northern state of Katsina, suspected criminal gangs had attacked a voting location, snatching at least six of the voter card checking devices, known as Bvas. Three of them were recovered and the others had been replaced, the Inec boss said.