Technical Glitch Halts Voting in Edo Election, Voters Call for Swift Action

The voting process at Ikpoba Okha Ward 7, Unit 39, in Benin was significantly disrupted due to faulty Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the malfunction occurred shortly after the polls opened at 8 a.m. and by 10:20 a.m., the issue had yet to be resolved.

The affected unit, located within Ologboshere Primary School, serves 838 registered voters. Helen Osagie, an elderly voter, expressed her frustration and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act swiftly. "We need these machines replaced immediately to ensure that everyone can vote," she said, highlighting the risk of voter disenfranchisement.

Despite the technical setbacks, the atmosphere remained calm. Paul Eromosele, another voter at the location, confirmed, "The environment is peaceful, but we need the machines fixed to continue the voting process."