The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that voting will be conducted today, February 26th, in 141 polling units in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where voting processes were interrupted in Wards 4, 6, and 14. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement at the collation center in Abuja during a press briefing. Yakubu explained that the decision was reached after a meeting with the state's security agencies. He added that the polls will include presidential, senatorial, and federal constituency elections.
During his briefing, Yakubu disclosed that thugs had attacked various polling units across the country and stolen at least eight ballot verification and authentication system (BVAS) devices. However, he assured Nigerians that backup BVAS machines had been provided to prevent a complete disruption of the voting process.
Yakubu further stated that the youth corps members who served as presiding officers and other commission staff agreed that the polls should hold the next morning. He emphasized the need to conclude the voting process, despite the challenges faced in some areas.
"We met with security agencies and we’ve decided that voting in these 141 polling units where the materials are actually intact, will take place tomorrow morning. Remember, we’re not only doing presidential election, but we are also doing Senatorial and Federal constituencies. So it’s good to recover and conduct the elections so that we can conclude the processes. The youth corps members who are serving as presiding officers and other commission staff, are agreeable that the elections should hold tomorrow morning," said Yakubu.
The polls will be closely monitored to ensure a peaceful and transparent process. INEC has reiterated its commitment to conducting credible and fair elections in Nigeria.