Ebonyi state local government elections Saturday witnessed a low turnout in most polling units.
As of 10:00 am when Blueprint reporter visited Oroke Onuoha ommunity primary school polling unit, Oroke Onuha playground unit, and stadium polling unit 003, both in Ebonyi local government area, it was observed that election materials had arrived and accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously.
The State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) had said that the election would hold in 171 wards of the 13 local government areas of the state.
But Mr. Evan Osuji, the Returning Officer for the stadium unit said the voting could not start early as there were delays from the collation center. He however, expressed hope that the electorate would come out, saying it was too early to judge.
“For now, the process is smooth, we just started and the people will still come out to cast their vote,” he said.
Also, a Councillorship contestant Mr. Righteous Onuoha attributed the low turnout to the early morning rain in the state.
“Yes, I am contesting for councillorship on the platform of the All Progressive Party (APC), Kpirikpiri ward and I believe it will end in praise,” he said.
But one of the electorates Mr. Mike Nwachukwu, said why they recorded low turnout was because the councillorship candidate was not the people’s choice, and that there was no sensitisation for the election.
Also at Ezza south local government area, some of the polling units witness little or no turnout.
At Afia Ofu pulling unit, ohaozara local government area, it was only the EBSIEC staffers that were seen and they also complained of low turnout.
However at governor David Umahi’s polling unit at Umunaga, there was a seemingly larger turn out when compared to others.
Addressing the people, Umahi said, “I can say that I am quite satisfied with the report I am getting from the polling units.
“It is very peaceful, the turnout is quite impressive and the people are voting very freely for Candidates of their preferences.
“There is no other political party in Ebonyi State, we have done quite well and no other political party in Ebonyi can boast of any reason why anybody in Ebonyi should vote for such party other than APC, we have performed, we have transformed the State, so Ebonyi people will not listen to promises, they are going to be listening to promises fulfilled under my administration and as the party of APC.
“I worked hard for it. Apostle Paul says I have run the race, I have kept the faith, left unto me is the crown of righteousness, and that crown of righteousness is a comprehensive victory today.
“Every election is selection; an opportunity for the people to select whoever they like and that is the definition of the election.”
