Voting at Unit 1, Ward 10, Ikot Ebom Primary School, Itu LGA in Akwa Ibom State was halted after an argument broke out among party officials.
Voters were seen running for safety amid the scuffle as crew members parked election materials and stood in a corner waiting for further action.
The unit’s police officers overwhelmed by the pandemic rode their motorbikes in and left voters to their fate.
It is understood that the unrest started when members of the People’s Democratic Party, the PDP in the unit gave way only to those who supported the PDP to vote while those who they believed did not vote for the PDP did not. prevented from voting.
One voter who did not want his name printed explained that other voters in the queue watching what was going on had insisted on being allowed to vote for the candidates of their choice, but were not allowed. In an attempt to retaliate, the PDP’s alleged thugs are said to have overwhelmed voters, causing chaos within the unit.
Meanwhile, the female police officer who had left the previous unit returned with reinforcements from other officers, who fired multiple tear gas canisters, dispersed crowds, and vacated the polling station.
Many voters who declared their disapproval of the PDP in the presidential election now lament the disenfranchisement they suffered.
