28 election monitors arrested in Plateau

Posted by admin Elections 2011, Plateau, State News Saturday, April 16th, 2011

There was a bigger turnout in many parts of Plateau State for Saturday’s presidential election with most logistic problems experienced during the National Assembly elections taken care of.

Although the arrest of about 28 members of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) who were observing the election generated some anxiety, the election was peaceful in the state. People defied the scorching sun and waited patiently to cast their votes after accreditation.

Except in some cases where INEC ad-hoc staff especially in Jos North LGA where election was holding for the first time, arrived late, officials and materials arrived well ahead of the commencement of accreditation at 8.am in many places.

Some of the youth corps members who served as ad-hoc staff said they had difficulties locating the polling stations to which they were posted because they were unfamiliar with the environment.

However, things normalized later as the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Mr. Habu Zarma who went round to oversee things directed that the accreditation period be extended to ensure that no one was disenfranchised.

A bloody clash was averted between students of the University of Jos and some members of the Naraguta community near the school, when students resisted attempts by some members of the community to vote within their hostel when they did not register there.

The argument generated some commotion and was almost resulting into violence until a decision was taken by the resident electoral commissioner who visited the area that an ad-hoc centre be created for members of the Naraguta community within the village.

-Vanguardwp_posts