Security was beef up at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa as the state governorship election commences.
It was gathered that security operatives from the Nigeria Army,Department of State Services(DSS) Nigeria Police Force(NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Fire Service were seen at the INEC office in Yenagoa.
Police and army personnel in their vehicles were also seen at strategic positions on the major road leading to the INEC state office on Swali road and within the city centre keeping a watchful eye on events on election day.
Reports has it that two buses conveying INEC ad hoc staff and voting materials were seen driving into the voting centre at 9.20 am.
Okoli said that only voters with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be allowed to vote as the card readers would only recognise PVCs issued by INEC.
She urged the voters to fold their ballot papers and cast their ballot to avoid a situation where their votes would be voided.
It was learnt that voting was yet to commence at polling units 16, 015, 014, 013, and 012 at the same polling centre although voters were already waiting on the voting queues for accreditation and voting.