Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Masked hoodlums allegedly burnt election materials at Usagbe Primary School, Ogbido in Etsako West Local Government Area (LGA) during yesterday’s governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
The hoodlums numbering about five were said to have emerged from the bush and started shooting sporadically to scare voters away from the polling unit.
The incident happened at ward 10, unit 6, a suburb of Iyahmo, the country home of the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad-hoc presiding Officer in the unit, Elechi Chimenumevere, who spoke with newsmen, said the incident happened at 11.30a.m.
Chimenumevere, who expressed shock over the incident, said some of their personal belongings were also burnt while the thugs ran away with ballot papers and result sheets.
“About five masked hoodlums suddenly came out from the bush and shot sporadically into the air to scare voters away. Some unused ballot papers were burnt by the hoodlums including our personal belongings. At the moment, I don’t have NYSC uniform as my khaki got burnt inside my bag. I was yet to put on the khaki and other INEC apron before the hoodlums struck. With the help of the electorate we were able to secure the other ballot papers and result sheets. The mobile phone of one of the ad-hoc staff is missing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has decried the burning of electoral materials in his ward. Speaking shortly after casting his vote, he commended INEC for improvements in the area of card reader, logistics and arrival of electoral materials and personnel.