Low turnout, late arrival of materials mar LG election in Ebonyi

Low voter turnout have characterised the Ebonyi Local government area elections held in the 171 wards of the 13 councils on Saturday in the state.

People came out in trickles to vote while election materials and officers of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) arrived late to many polling units.

Some of the electorate attributed the apathy to the non-fielding of candidates by the opposition parties.

In most units, the electoral officers and materials arrived late as accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously at 11:45 a.m.

There was low voter turnout in Oroke Onuoha Community Primary School polling unit, Oroke Onuha Playground unit and Stadium polling unit 003 in Abakaliki local government area.

Evan Osuji, Returning Officer at the Stadium Unit, said that the voting could not start early as, according to him, there were delays from the collation centre.

On voter turnout, Mr Osuji expressed hope that the electorates would come out to vote and noted that the processes had been smooth.

A resident, Joy Nwabueze, who is a farmer, attributed the low turnout to non-feilding of candidates by opposition parties.

“You can see, it is only the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that are in for the elections and no other parties,” Ms Nwabueze said.

Another resident and politician, Joseph Nwite, alleged that the EBSIEC did not give political parties a level playing ground to participate in the elections.

According to Mr Nwite, only the ruling party in the state was participating in the elections.

Righteous Onuoha, who is contesting for the position of councillor, attributed the low turnout to the early morning rain in the state. He, however, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the elections and was hopeful to come out successfully.

(NAN)