Enugu LG Polls: Low Turnout In Many Polling Booths

Saturday’s local government elections in Enugu State have been generally peaceful but characterised by low turnout of voters.

Reports from the 17 local government areas in the state show that the exercise started as scheduled with the voting materials delivered early.

However, turnout of voters was low.
Many attribute the general voter apathy to the ‘death’ of opposition political parties in the state.

Chijioke Odo, a voter at Eke Ezimo ward in Udenu LGA, told THE WHISTLER that “voting started early enough. It has been very cordial. There is no case of electoral violence. Even though the turnout is not massive yet, voters are gradually increasing in number. They know when the voting will end so the number will progressively increase.”

At Nkwo Nike in Enugu East LGA, the story was the same. The speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, after casting his vote, enjoined voters to remain peaceful.

At various polling booths in Aninri LGA, voting was in progress. Some eligible voters were however seen playing football and sitting in clusters discussing. One of them said, “It is a PDP affair. Whether you vote or not, PDP will still win. I don’t even know who and who are contesting.”

At Nineth Mile, Udi LGA, a voter, who identified himself as Victor, said, “I won’t vote because I don’t see what these chairmen do. I’m not a politician but I think their non-performance caused this voter apathy.”

Residents generally observed directives by the police restricting movement between 8am and 4pm, except those on essential duties. The state police PRO, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, had in a statement warned against electoral violence, but assured of adequate security during the exercise. Operatives of the state police command and the civil defence were seen in some strategic locations in the state.

Generally, it is only PDP’s agents that are spread in all the polling booths.