APATHY, LATE ARRIVAL OF MATERIALS MAR CROSS RIVER LG POLLS
Read Time:1 Minute, 56 Second
The absence of officials and electoral materials at polling stations hindered the holding of Saturday’s local government elections in Abia State.
Voter apathy was also seen in the poor voter turnout at polling places.
For example, goods arrived in Calabar Municipality at 1:00 pm instead of 8:00 am.
After waiting since 8:00 am to cast their ballots, several voters became irate and went home.
However, several of them returned later to cast their ballots. James Ogar, the poll worker in Abang Asang in the Eta Agbor settlement, expressed his sincere regret for the delayed start, pointing to logistical difficulties.
James Anam, the APC’s candidate for the Calabar Municipality, urged voters to remain composed.
He said that the party that put in more effort and had stronger candidates may win, and he praised them for their excellent behavior and tolerance.
He also exhorted voters to support the APC, his party.
With few voters, the poll began at around 10:00 am in Bakassi and Akpabuyo LGAs.
However, once voters arrived, verified their identities, and cast their ballots, the mood was mostly calm.
Navy Captain Odiong Bassey (rtd), the State Security Advisor for the Southern Senatorial District, informed reporters that security personnel were present in every center to quell any potential public unrest.
“We’ve security men all over the place. We’re happy that everywhere is peaceful.
“We patrolled all the councils and the presence of our men in all the polling centres is confirmed. There have been no security issues, at least in southern Cross River State.”
A PDP polling agent in Ikot Effiom Primary School Ward 7 Bakassi LGA, John Peters, said his party’s members came out in good numbers to vote.
At Ekpri Ikang Primary School voting unit, Mrs Esther Akiba expressed optimism that the ruling party, APC, would win in that area as they were the only visible party on ground.
She claims that the party will improve the council’s public facilities.
Similarly, Mrs. Essien Archibong Eso, the APC’s vice chairmanship candidate for Bakassi LGA, noted that the poll was conducted in a calm manner.
Edim Orok Okon, a representative of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), clarified that the Commission was able to deliver all of the sensitive materials to the wards in a timely manner.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0