News Editor
…Low voters turnout recorded across polling units due to “rumors of violence” voters say
The area council elections billed to commence today in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja had started on a slow pace across polling units in Usuma Ward, Bwari Area Council, TMSnews reports.
Our correspondent who visited some polling units in the ward on Saturday morning observed low voter turnout and a slow process as voting was yet to commence as at 9:55am.
At unit 007, 009, 027 all in the FCDA area of Kubwa, it was observed that the electoral officers were still trying to get their equipments and materials set up for the poll.
TMSnews correspondent interviewed some voters who attributed the low turnout of voters to rumors of violence circulated in the area.
Recall that the FCT police command had late on Friday restored movement restrictions in the federal capital after initially relaxing the restriction hours earlier, citing security threats as reason for the change.
Voters are capitalising on that to stay away from voting a voter told this reporter.
“People are not much here and they may not even come because of the rumours of violence we heard.” A voted who gave his name as Sani told TMSnews.
Another voter who refused to mention his name said many people who registered at the unit have relocated, saying that INEC ought to make it possible for Nigerians to vote anywhere in the country.
“This system is still backward, you cannot tie my life here forever because of elections.
Many who registered here no longer live here, they have relocated and you don’t expect them to travel from wherever they are to this place because of election.” He said
