Rivers LG Poll: Party Agent Decries Low Turnout, Blames Poor Voter Education

Mrs. Comfort Ndu, an APC agent in Oyigbo Ward 5, has expressed concern over the low turnout of voters in the Rivers Local Government elections, attributing it to poor voter education in the area.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, Ndu noted that although the election was hitch-free as at the time of observation, very few voters came out to exercise their franchise.

Ndu, an APC agent at Ward 5, Unit 10, said she had expected to see more eligible voters participate in the process but turnout remained low.

She added that some individuals who showed up were unable to vote because they were not registered at the centre.

She attributed the challenge to poor voter education in the area, stressing that proper enlightenment would have addressed issues relating to voter transfer and relocation.

Ndu therefore called for more intensive voter education ahead of future elections to help reduce such challenges.

Also speaking, Mr. Ekemsi Ukwa, Returning Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for Ward 7, Unit 1, confirmed that voting and accreditation commenced simultaneously at 10 a.m.

According to him, sensitive electoral materials arrived the unit at about 9:40 a.m., with accreditation and voting starting at 10 a.m., while the process is expected to end at 3 p.m.

”So far, voters have been coming and the process has been hitch-free,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Mr. William Warigbani, a party agent representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the party had unanimously endorsed the APC chairmanship candidate, Okechukwu Akara.

Warigbani added that the exercise had been smooth, with party members also turning out to cast their votes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security operatives, including the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were stationed at various polling units to maintain order.

At the Obeama Community Primary School polling unit, only a handful of voters were seen casting their ballots, while some youths were spotted playing football on the school field. (NAN)