LG poll marred by low voter turnout, logistics challenges

Published 6 hours ago• 3 minute read

The Local Governments election was characterised by low voter turnout, logistics challenges across Amuwo-Odofin LGA and Oriade LCDA.

Across the different polling units visited by our correspondent on Saturday, voter apathy was a common feature.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) officials arrived at their polling stations between 9:30 and 10am.

At polling unit 031 (201Road), Ward K, Amuwo-Odofin, the presiding officer, Fashola MO, apologised for their lateness and notified those on ground that election would close by 2pm and that every voter on the queue would be attended to till 3pm.

This was going on while other officials were setting up by 10am with just 10 voters waiting in queue to vote. Also, at the commencement of voting, only APC and LP agents were on ground to monitor proceedings.

On the same road, at polling unit 008 (201Road); the voting cubicle was fully set and ready for business of the day by 10am; however, there were only three voters waiting to cast their votes.

At polling unit 032 by 21 Road (C close) just setting up by 10:10am. However, polling unit 013 (21Riad C close) with just about five voters on ground.

As at 10:15, polling unit 033 (officials were on ground but no voters with empty boxes.

The situation at the three polling units on I Close into 322 Road was the same with officials just waiting for the voters to come out.

But the situation was slightly different at polling unit 1516, 21 Road (L Close) with more voters on ground but with little voting activities going on. Those on ground were seen chatting away.

However, polling unit 004 (111 Road D Close) had more voters compared to the other two polling units on the same road

By 11am, a team of Mobile Policemen were mobilised into Festac in about seven different vehicles to ensure security ahead of the collation of votes at the Secretariat later in the day.

A very funny experience was noticed at the First Gate area just in front of the Amuwo-Odofin Maternity and Child Centre, where someone identified as the chairman of the NURTW in the zone mobilised some young men and given voters card each.

Subsequently they were mobilized into Festac Town to vote. It was so brazenly carried out that the mobiliser also engaged somebody to video the process, probably as a proof for mobilising voters for the election.

The situation in Oriade LCDA slightly improved by 11am with more voters seen coming out to cast their votes.

However, the exercise was largely characterised by voter apathy just like previous local government elections.

Three of the five polling units (008, 010, 023, 024, 025) in front of the Oba Palace in Oriade LCDA by Moshalasi bus stop was a beehive of activities, indicating the interest of the community in the process.