Divine Nnenna Onwuka
INEC witness low turnout of voters in Rivers State
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has witnessed low turnout of voters in Rivers State for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
The number of people who came out to exercise their franchise were below what was recorded during the Presidential election.
Also, report has it that as of 9:40 am, some polling units in Woji, Elekahia and Rumuomasi areas of Rivers state have not started voting.
Also, the number of people seen at the polling units in the area was fewer compared to that of the presidential and National Assembly election, as the state has over 3.5 million registered voters.
In some parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, youths were seen playing football on the streets freely.
There is calm in Port Harcourt and its environs, amidst the presence of policemen, soldiers and other security operatives.
Furthermore, in Governor Nyesom Wike’s Ward 9, Unit 7A, voting has commenced but the governor had yet to arrive to exercise his franchise.
The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, has cast his vote in Ward 4, Unit 10 Jack-White Compound in Degema, while the governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Chief Lulu-Briggs, cast his vote in Unit 1, Ward 4 also in Degema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
In addition, the low turnout of voters may be attributed to the political tension in the state coupled with the recent show of force by the military and the police on Friday.
While others have said another reason for the voter apathy was because of some reported issues of malpractice in some parts of the state.
