By Matthew Don
Guns were shot sporadically at some areas in Kogi on Saturday as the governorship election got off the ground.
At the Ajaiyi Crowther Primary School in Lokoja for instance voters were scene scampering for safety as a result of shooting different from what happened at Ayetoro where ballot box was allegedly snatched.
Unconfirmed reports from Ekeremo in Bayelsa state also said there was violence in parts of the area.
The INEC Commissioner on enlightenment Festus Okoye said in areas where violence was reported could mean the officials there may have been compromised.
He however absolved INEC officials who foimd themselves in precarious situations in the face of violence sponsored by politicians.
However, many voters in Bayelsa reported that the exercise was peaceful and turnout impressive despite initial fears of apathy due to reports of looming violence.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and the wife Patience, the PDP governorship candidate for Bayelsa and his APC counterpart were among those who were seen casting their ballot.
In Kogi, Governor Yajaya Bello of the APC, jis counterparts for the PDP, Musa Wada and the SDP Natasha, and Senators Smart Adeyemi and Dino Melaye were also seen casting their ballot peacefully.
Adeyemi and Melaye are contesting the run off Kogi West senatorial district election that was voided by the court.
There are 21 local government areas in Kogi and eight local government areas in Bayelsa.
So far, turnout has been impressive in both states.
Some of the voters themselves got involved in preaching peaceful electoral process in Bayelsa.
Despite the heavy rainfall in some areas of Bayelsa like Sagbama the INEC officials were seen with boats heading for the place.
There was also report that the INEC smart cards worked perfectly as there no reports of there malfunctioning in any part of the state.
Voting will end at 2pm according to the INEC except in places where reports of late commencement of voting was inevitable amd proven.