David Mark Vs. David Onjeh: Live Updates from Benue South Senatorial Election Rerun

We bring to you live updates from Benue South senatorial election rerun...keep refreshing this page for more live update.

David Mark and David Onjeh

 

Today, Saturday, February 20, the people of Benue South will return to the poll to elect their senator. The contest is straight between a former Senate President, David Mark, of the Peoples Democratic Party, and David Onjeh, a former students’ leader, and candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

 

The election is a rerun. The Appeal Court had nullified the March 28, 2015 election of which Mr. Mark was declared winner.

 

Mr. Mark is 68 years old, while Mr. Onjeh is 41.

 

Benue South Senatorial District has nine local government areas, dominated mainly by the Idoma ethnic nationality.

 

The district also has significant populations of Igede, Agila, Alala, Apa and Agatu. Messrs Mark and Onjeh are native Idomas.

Live Blog

9.43 am - At Olempe Polling Unit, Olaochagba ward, Ogbadibo LGA, accreditation has commenced. The process is smooth. Here is the unit of Daniel Onjeh, the APC candidate.

 

9.31 am - PU 08A and N Green Garden, Otukpo Town East ward. Accreditation has just commenced here.

 

9.25 am - PU 09, 27, Ogiri-Oko street 11, Otukpo ward. Accreditation exercise is just starting. The Presiding Officer, said the delay was “due to to confusion. We didn’t know the actual place before; so, we were just roaming about.

 

9.18 am - PU 18, Otukpo ward, INEC officials have arrived but just getting set to commence accreditation for voters who have been waiting waited since 8am. Assistant Presiding Officer said “We were delayed at the distribution centre.”

 

8.53am - Polling officers are just arriving David Mark’s Polling Unit, VIP unit at Otukpo ward 1. They rode motorcycles and were guided by a Police officer and two Civil Defence operatives.

 

Mr. Sunday, an elderly person, said he had been at VIP units 10 minutes before 8am, the time INEC announced accreditation would start. “But if truth, I am surprised INEC officials are yet to come,” he said.

 

8.29 am - VIP polling unit, Otukpo ward 1. INEC officials are yet to arrive at this polling unit the PDP candidate, David Mark, will vote. PDP agent is complaining: “I am concerned; when are they bringing these materials.”

 

8.09 am - INEC officials are set at PU 10, Ward 10, Otukpo LGA. Also voters are thronging the unit. As the picture shows, voters are now checking their names in INEC “valid registrations” papers.