BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin, Nigeria – Low turnout of voters amid tight security has been recorded in the ongoing State Assembly Election in Edo.
Only State Assembly election is holding in Edo, as the gubernatorial election will not hold until September 2024.
House of Representatives poll will hold in Edo central as it was put on hold February 25 due to the omission of the Labour Party’s logo on the ballot paper.
Our reporter also observed that electoral materials arrived at some polling units by 7:30am just as accreditation was seamless and voting peaceful and orderly.
Meanwhile, some voters who turned out to cast their ballots today have tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the people’s collective wish reflect the outcome of the polls.
Our reporter’s visit to some voting centers in Benin City revealed an unusual low turnout of voters compared to that of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, conducted last month.
In Oredo ward two, units one, two, 38 and Oredo ward 11, units one, two, three, four and 44, some of the voters said the controversial outcome of the Presidential election, is the major reason for the low turnout of voters witnessed today.
According to one of the voters who refused to be named: “The results of the Presidential election announced by INEC last month dimmed people’s interest and enthusiasm in today’s and future elections in Nigeria.
“I called some of my friends who are voting in this center they said they were not coming to vote because of the disappointing results of last month election.
“As it stands, many Nigerians do not have the confidence that INEC will make their votes to count… it’s unfortunate.
“INEC should be honest and make Nigerians votes reflect and determine the outcome of elections.
“At the end of the day, INEC will announce declare unimaginable figures.”
INEC ad-hoc personnel deployed to Oredo ward 2, units one, two and 38 were not given chairs or canopy to seat on and provided cover from the scorching sun.
However, checkpoints separately mounted by the Nigeria army and police dotted major roads in the state capital.
It was not the case during the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in the state.
As a result, killings, ballot box snatching and destruction of election materials were reported in parts of the state.
It was further observed that the enforcement of restriction of vehicular movement were not total in Benin metropolis.
Recall that four major political parties scored 567,962 votes in Edo during the Presidential and National Assembly polls as INEC had declared that 2,128, 288 PVCs were collected.
The Public Relations Officer for Edo State police command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor could not be reached to comment on the development.
