Gwarimpa: Voters Attribute Low Turnout To Disenchantment From Presidential, NASS Elections

Some voters in Gwarimpa have attributed the low turnout of voters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to disenchantment experienced from the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The voters at the LEA Primary School, Galadima Polling Unit told reporters on Saturday that during the Chairmanship and Counsellorship elections many of them felt their votes might not be counted.

A voter, Mr David Akagbu decried the way the last elections were held nationwide, claiming that they were fraught with irregularities and violence in some parts.

“I can tell you categorically that many people are not happy with the way the elections went and I am not afraid to say it.

“My opinion is that our votes may not be counted going by the way things went, unless things will change this time around.

“In fact, I begged some of our neighbours who we all came here last time in large number, many of them just refused to come out. I can tell you that the same thing may be the experience in many parts of FCT,’’ he said.

Another voter, Mr David Ogbu, however, advised the government to change the electoral process next time to make it more credible.

Ogbu said that in the future, any person interested in voting should vacate the position or resign six months before the election so that the process would not be influenced.

“So that those seeking for election or re-election, will not be able to manipulate the process,’’ he said.

The Presiding Officer, Mr Rufai Yusuf told NAN that at the 12:45 p.m., voting had been going on smoothly, though with low turnout.

“Although compared with presidential election, the turnout here is low, but it has been cool and calm exercise so far.

“We only had a problem with a card reader but which was rectified 30 minutes later by INEC ICT staff.

“We hope more people will come before 2 p.m. when we will close and start counting,’’ he said.

Similarly, there was low voters turn out at the Efab Estate 017 polling unit for the chairmanship and councillorship elections.

Mrs Ramatu Salaudeen, a voter said lack of trust in the process could be a major reason for the turnout.

“Some people are disappointed because their preferred candidates did not win the presidential election therefore they have decided not to bother themselves with this election.

“In the same vein, some voters whose preferred candidates won in the last election are happy and confident that the same victory will be recorded in today’s election,” she said.

Another voter, Mr Obinna Madubueze said that people could not come out to vote because most people do not know the candidates contesting for offices in the elections.

“I must be sincere with you; those who voted today did that based on party affiliation than candidates involved as they do not know the candidates,’’ he said.

Also, at Polling Unit 017 at Efab Estate, Mbora District, Life, there was low turnout of voters in spite of the fact that the INEC officials arrived early.

NAN correspondent observed that there were few voters that voted unlike the large turnout that was recorded in the last elections.

It was also observed that the restrictions of vehicular movement by police was not adhered to as people were seen driving out of the estate and even the commercial tricycles busy picking and dropping their passengers.

Meanwhile, the security personnel and domestic observers from Centre for Transparency Advocacy and National Orientation Agency (NOA) were on ground to monitor and ensure a seamless exercise.