Late arrivals, multiple voting mar elections

Many voters, yesterday, refused to vote during the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, as low turnouts were recorded in most polling units visited. Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) ad-hoc staff arrived late, mainly because they were protesting non-payment of their allowances, which kept many of the voters waiting for several hours.

The election, nonetheless, was peaceful, even in areas like Okota, Ilasa, where there were violence during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

At Lagos Mainland, Polling Unit 20, Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls Secondary School, at 1:30pm, of the 772 registered voters, only 70 had voted. At Polling Unit 26, Bonny, Eti-Osa Local Government, of the 430 registered voters, 50 turned up few minutes to 2pm. Similar situation was recorded at Polling Unit 033, VGC, where the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his wife voted.

The unit had scanty would-be voters, compared to the high voters, that turned out for the presidential election on February 23. Also, in Ikate-Lekki, Polling Unit 032A, few voters were available.

The Vice President, however, refused to provide reasons for the low turning, saying he would need to make enquiries.

At Oshodi and its environ, there were allegations of multiple voting, amid voter apathy recorded in the area.

Speaking with The Guardian on the low turnout, presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) in the last election, Fela Durotoye attributed it to many voters not connected with the gubernatorial and House of Assembly candidates like the presidential candidates. He added that many Nigerians are disenchanted with the electoral process.