By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
There was marked improvement in the organisation of the Bayelsa Governorship Election.
In many parts of Yenagoa City, electoral personnel and materials arrived early to the polling units with accreditation and voting also taking place.
The process has been largely peaceful and orderly with moderate turnout of voters in many places.
Despite the heavy presence of security personnel across the State, there have been isolated incidents of violence and disruption of the electoral process in some areas.
Compared to the 2023 General Election, INEC Personnel and materials arrived in many polling units on schedule in Yenagoa City.
At the Bayelsa Medical University located along Imgbi Road, Amarata which plays host to units 52 to 57 in Ward 6, accreditation and voting went on simultaneously with some voters expressing satisfaction with the process.
The Presiding Officer in Unit 52, Hyacinth Miniku said better organization was responsible for the early commencement of voting.
However, the transfer of some polling units from their original location to other areas affected some voters as explained by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Indigenes/Special Duties, Mr. Nneji Friday.
An Election Monitor, Mr. Ono Akpe said he was impressed so far with the process.
In Kolokuma-Opokuma, LGA, accreditation and voting went on peacefully.
Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and incumbent Governor, Douye Diri and his wife, Gloria cast their votes at Kalama-owei Wari Unit 4, Ward 6 Sampou at about 8.39am, commending Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improving their facilities and training of personnel.
The governor, who spoke with newsmen shortly after voting, expressed concerns over the alleged harassment of his party members and agents from Nembe-Basambiri.
After some initial delays, accreditation and voting also took place in Brass and Nembe Local Government Areas.
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of the State, Chief Timipre Sylva voted alongside his wife, Alayingi at his Polling Unit 4, Ward 4 at the Dukuraku open space in Okpoama, Brass LGA.
The immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources was elated to have voted but also alleged that his supporters had been attacked in parts of the State.
In Ogbia LGA, materials arrived early in Ward 9, Units 3, 12 and 39 at about 7.30am with accreditation and voting starting at 8.30am with the process generally peaceful.
Meanwhile, former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the National Assembly to amend the law and put an end to off-season elections in the country.
He made the call shortly after voting at Polling Unit 39, Ward 13 in his home town Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area.
In Nembe-Ogbolomabiri INEC officials and materials arrived at about 7.30am amidst transportation challenges. Voting started at 8.30am with the former Deputy Governor of the State Retired Rear Admiral Gborigbiogha John Jonah expressing satisfaction with the process.
However, in Southern Ijaw LGA, the process has been characterized by late arrival of materials. Accreditation and voting commenced at Ward 1 in Oporoma, headquarters of the LGA at about 12.45pm
There are reports that at about 9 a.m at Agorogbene, Units 6, 7 and 8 in Ward 11 of the local government area, suspected thugs from a chieftain of one of the parties drove voters away and destroyed election materials as attempts by the electorate to challenge the armed men were met with heavy gunshots.
The armed thugs stormed the Registration Area Center (RAC) centre and carted away election materials for five out of the seven units.
At Ogiadiama Ward 9, Unit 14, gunmen stormed the unit but were repelled by security operatives.
Also, there were reports that armed thugs invaded polling units in the Sagbama local government area, shooting indiscriminately and destroying some election materials.
At Famgbe in the Yenagoa local government area, some suspected thugs loyal to the two leading political parties engaged in a gun duel that reportedly claimed the life of at least one person. There were also reported shootings around the Ekeki and Osiri areas of Yenagoa town.
