Ondo: Voters shun facemasks, other COVID-19 protocols
Like what was obtainable in the September 19 governorship election in Edo State, majority of voters in the governorship election in Ondo State largely ignored the COVID-19 election safely guidelines and procedures. This is despite the repeated assurances and warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other […]
Voters I’m some poling units in Akure, without facemasks and physical distancing during today’s Ondo State governorship election.
Photos by Abbas Jimoh.
Like what was obtainable in the September 19 governorship election in Edo State, majority of voters in the governorship election in Ondo State largely ignored the COVID-19 election safely guidelines and procedures.
This is despite the repeated assurances and warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other stakeholders for strict compliance with the COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Daily Trust reports that while all the election officials, especially of INEC, wore facemask, many security agents and overwhelming, majority of voters did.
Some of the voters were seen holding the mask in their pockets, hand or around their necks, majority, including some elderly persons did not have the face mask at all.
Most voters in Akure, Ondo west, Idanre, Irele, and Akoko local governments, among others, did not adhere to the prescribed two metres physical distancing rule and wearing of facemasks, by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
INEC had said that the commission will provide infrared thermometers and alcohol-bases hand sanitizers at all the poling units (PUs).
The commission also said that the rules of physical distancing will be enforced at all election activities including political engagements, training, and queuing at PUs for election processes including voting at the PUs.
Photos by Abbas Jimoh.
Photos by Abbas Jimoh.
However, voters across the state ignored the rule as observed and video recordings seen by correspondents.
The NCDC on Saturday afternoon said that there are 151 new cases of the COVID-19 infection, bringing the cases to 59,992 in the country.
The centre also said that the number of COVID-19 fatalities stood at 1,113.
The NCDC said that Lagos state recorded the highest daily infection with 71 new cases followed by Ogun and Kaduna with 26 and 17 respectively.
Other states were Osun (10), Oyo (8), FCT (6), Rivers (6), Plateau (5), Akwa Ibom (1), and Ekiti (1).
“Till date, 59,992 cases have been confirmed, 51,614 cases discharged and 1,113 deaths recorded in the 36 states and FCT.