Former senate president, Senator David Mark has called on security agencies to arrest and deal decisively with thugs who snatched ballot boxes at Otukpo-Icho in Otukpo local government area (LGA), of Benue state to serve as a deterrent to others.
Senator Mark who spoke with newsmen in Otukpo weekend said though he would not support the “shoot at sight” order, he can never encourage electoral violence of any kind.
He said that in Edikwu council Ward, Otukpo LGA the ballot papers that were sent there were bad and in short supply.
Senator Mark also disclosed that at Ward III, the polling unit was moved to a new place, noting that the situation made election not to be held in the polling unit.
He called on INEC to do the right thing by giving the electorate free, fair and credible elections, saying if the commission did the right thing, even the losers would not complain or hold any grudge.
”INEC should not create more problems for itself. The movement of the polling unit was uncalled for,” he said.
He said it was unfortunate that INEC did not make arrangement for backup of the Smart Card Readers, adding that they malfunctioned in some polling units and they end up delaying voting.
He further said that some polling units did not have ink pads, saying that it was a national disgrace.
”It took INEC four years to prepare for the election. So, some of the hitches ought to have been avoided.
”Anyway, we are a developing nation and that is where we have found ourselves.
”However, there are a lot of improvements in the electoral process. The electorate are also enthusiastic to carry out their civic responsibility,” he said.
