Low turnout trails polls in Ekiti

‘Yomi Ayeleso – Ado-Ekiti

The House of Assembly election in Ekiti state on Saturday recorded a very low turnout in most of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

Tribune Online gathered that in most polling units visited, only a handful of voters were seen participating in the voting exercise, contrary to what was experienced during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

In Ereguru unit, ward 8 in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital; unit 04 ward 4 in Erijiyan Ekiti, and Iyin-Ekiti unit 6 ward 2, election officials were seen waiting for voters to approach the units to vote.

It was, however, observed that security arrangement was a bit relaxed, unlike that of the presidential and National Assembly elections, when each unit had at least, four policemen.

Commenting on the development, Kolade Olorunleke, a regular voter in Ado-Ekiti, suggested that however, it is not clear if the trend will change as the exercise progresses.

From the Northern part of Ekiti, with about six LGAs reports had it that the turnout of residents of voters was very low, as INEC staff were left fallow, awaiting their arrival endlessly.

On the contrary, however, it was a different scenario in Ikogosi-Ekiti, the hometown of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as residents of the community, trooped out in large numbers in solidarity with their son, to participate in the House of Assembly election.

While many walked long distances, following the restriction on vehicular movements, a few, went to their polling units by commercial motorbikes.

At the different polling units visited both at Ikere-Ekiti, Ward 003, unit 6, the country home of the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, voters were seen checking their names on the displayed voter register, while others were in queues.

INEC officials and ad-hoc officials arrived on time, in readiness for the election with all sensitive materials in place.

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