Makurdi – The ongoing Governorship and State House of Assembly supplementary elections in most polling units in Local Government Areas (LGA’s) across Benue has been characterized by low turnout of voters.
Electoral Commission Officers await for voters as a polling station opens at Agiya polling station in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria on February 23, 2019, the day of the general elections. – Nigerians began voting for a new president on February 23, after a week-long delay that has raised political tempers, sparked conspiracy claims and stoked fears of violence. Some 120,000 polling stations began opening from 0700 GMT, although there were indications of a delay in the delivery of some materials and deployment of staff, AFP reporters said. (Photo by AFP)
NAN correspondents, who monitored the polls on Saturday in Makurdi, Gwer, Otukpo local government areas, report that the turn out was poor compared to the Presidential and National Assembly polls in the state.
In some polling units there were no queues as those who came to vote were promptly attended to by polling unit officials.
NAN reports that normal commercial activities were ongoing at Taraku and Aliade in Gwer East LGA, where the supplementary poll was ongoing in Mbalom council ward.
Vehicles were seen loading bags of fermented wet cassava paste (Akpu) to other rural markets for sale.
In Otukpo town, the general mood did not reflect the conduct of any election in the place.
The Otukpo motor park was as usual beehive of activities while motorcycle operators were busy conveying passengers to their destinations.
Shops and other businesses were also conducting their normal routine business activities.
Some of the voters blamed the low turnout on what they termed ” politicians’ deceitful ways”.(NAN)