There was improvement in the Election into the twenty-four State Constituency Seats into the Bayelsa House of Assembly compared to the February Twenty-Five Presidential and National Assembly Polls in the State.
Radio Nigeria Reporters deployed to the eight local government areas of the State report that electoral materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission arrived at many polling units early as accreditation and voting commenced on schedule.
There were however some skirmishes in a few areas as suspected thugs carted away and burnt election materials.
In Nembe, Voting commenced in most polling units in Ogbolomabiri and INEC officials and materials arrived in most polling units early from 8 O’ clock in the morning.
Goring Nwibaa reports that the process has been relatively peaceful as explained by the Presiding Office, Deborah Sebastian with some of the voters expressing delight at the opportunity of exercising their franchise.
In Bassambiri there were however reports that some suspected thugs reportedly loyal to one of the parties caused unrest by chasing away residents and supporters of other parties with the people calling for security presence.
In Ogbia Local Government Area, Election materials were hijacked and burnt by some irate youths in Otuokpoti. The suspected thugs burnt materials for Wards 2, 3,4 and 5 for the Ayama clan.
Eyal Ikisikpo reports that In Ward 13, unit 39 materials arrived at about 7:58 while voting and accreditation started by 8:30am with the former President, Goodluck Jonathan casting his vote at 8:47am, though there was low voter turnout.
Shortly afterwards Doctor Jonathan condemned the destruction of materials at Otuokpoti .
In Kolokuma-Opokuma LGA, Ben Okofu reports that Electoral materials arrived on schedule at about 7.30 am at various polling units at Sampou as accreditation and voting commenced at 8. 30 am.
Governor Douye Diri and wife Mrs Gloria Diri voted at their polling unit in ward 6, unit 4 Kalama Owei Sampou at 9 08am and 9.11am.
In an interview with Journalists, Governor Diri was satisfied with the early arrival of materials but condemned the destruction of materials in Ogbia constituency 2, ordering security agents to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.
Agberowei Arumoh reported from Sagbama LGA that in Constituency 2 ,ward 10 at Agbadiowei Play Ground where units 1 ,2 ,3 ,6, 12 and 17 are situated in Sagbama Town, election officials and materials arrived at about 7;30 am and accreditation and voting begun at about 8;30 am.
A presiding officer at unit one, Mrs Rachel Abiodun said the non display of the voter register to afford the voters the opportunity to first cross check their names before going to vote caused delay in the process.
The turnout was relatively high as security officials were seen at designated locations.
In Brass LGA, Austin Yebei reports that Sensitive and non Sensitive materials arrived the Registration Area Center at the INEC office in Twon, Brass by 7am with sorting and distribution of materials to the various wards and polling units done simultaneously.
Materials arrived early at Okpoama, Brass constituency 2 by 7:30am,In ward 4,polling unit 007 with only a handful of voters on ground as explained by the presiding officer, Deborah Sebastian as other voters also expressed their views.
In Southern Ijaw LGA, Ward 15, Materials did not reach Gbanraun town, as INEC adhoc officials left early morning to collect materials from the Registration Area Center at Apoi, with the Electorate waiting.
In Yenagoa LGA, Accreditation and voting commenced at about 9.05am in Unit 2, Ward 7.
Lawrence Berezi reports that the RAC center in Ward 5 which is located at Opolo, Electoral materials and officials were conveyed in vehicles provided by INEC while others were escorted on foot by community youths to the community town hall without security. Voting commenced at 8:30am with low turnout.
Izonkpo Orukari reports that turnout of voters was low in the Down Yenagoa area of the State capital though INEC officials and materials arrived early in ten units in Ward one from Saint Peters Church to the jetty axis with the polls largely peaceful.
In Ekeremor LGA, accreditation and voting commenced at about half past 8 in the morning in most of the polling units.
Reports Coordinated by – Alambo Datonye. Edited By Grace Namiji