Jegede decries card reader malfunction

The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo State governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, has said that a major challenge in the governorship election was the card reader machines malfunctioning during the exercise.

The candidate spoke after casting his vote at his unit, Sacred Heart Primary School Unit 09, Ward 02, in Akure South Local Government Area.

Jegede, who was also the PDP’S candidate four years ago, said the card readers’ failure was creating serious delay in the process.

He, however, praised the huge turnout of voters and the peaceful conduct of voters so far.

According to him, “I was on the queue for a long time and of course, I protested the card reader malfunctioning when I was supposed to cast my vote. After 10 minutes or thereabouts, the card reader suddenly woke up again and started functioning.

“So far, at least, at this particular polling unit, the turnout has been massive, it has been peaceful, and voters have conducted themselves peacefully. The only challenge we have is INEC, and in respect to the card reader”.

The governorship candidate further expressed optimism that the election would end peacefully despite fears, stressing that he received reports of pockets of violence, especially in Ijomu area in Akure South Local Government Area.

“I think that so far, despite all these challenges, there has not been any major disruption. I do not know what is happening in the remote areas.

“Those are incidences of violence, unfortunately, it is happening again in some major towns Akure, Owo, and unfortunately also we are seeing some decent men who are educated conducting themselves in a very unruly manner,” he added.

It was gathered that at the Ijomu area, Unit 02, Ward 4, one person was injured with machete cuts and the process was disrupted.

But the police spokesman, Tee Leo- Ikoro, disputed the report, saying there was no violence in the area.