Low voter turnout for the governorship/ State House of Assembly elections is being recorded in Aba, the trading hub of Abia state, south-east Nigeria.
According to some residents, the voter turnout has not been as impressive as that of the 25th February Presidential polls.
“The voter turnout we are seeing today is nothing compared to the crowd we saw at the Presidential election.
“And I know the reason for this is because of what the INEC, the chairman and the people that call themselves cabals in this country have put us into,” one voter claimed.
#NigeriaDecides2023 #Gubernatorialelections2023 #StateAssemblypolls2023
This voter expresses his disappointment with the low voter turnout in his polling unit in Aba, Abia state. pic.twitter.com/h0BHxwsQDG— Voice of Nigeria (@voiceofnigeria) March 18, 2023
“The turnout is poor as citizens came out on time on February 25 to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice,” said another.
Meanwhile, at Ward 1, Eziama, Unit 17 situated in Eziama Primary School, Aba North, the various party agents as early as 8 a.m. (local time) were already on the ground, waiting for the ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were yet to arrive.
However, accreditation and voting began past 9 a.m. (local time) after a brief voter education.
Elsewhere in Ward 3, Umuchichi, in Osisioma local government area, accreditation was yet to begin as at 10 a.m. (local time) as some of the INEC ad hoc staff arrived past 9 a.m. (local time) at the four (4) polling units situated in the Umuchichi Hall, an uncompleted building.
At yet another ward along Aba-Owerri Road, the INEC officials arrived earlier. The process was peaceful with the residents turning up gradually to cast their votes at the six (6) polling units there at Ward 3.
Emmanuel Ukoh
