Assembly Election 2023: Low voters turn out in Ekiti

There is a low turnout of voters in most polling units in the ongoing House of Assembly election in the 26 state constituencies in Ekiti State.

At most polling units in Ado Ekiti, Ikere Ekiti, Iyin Ekiti, Igede Ekiti, Ilawe Ekiti and Erijiyan Ekiti, voters were coming to the polling units in small numbers to cast their votes with minimal queues.

The Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who voted at Ado Ekiti Ward 04, Unit 09, expressed hope that voters would still come to the polling booths to perform their civic responsibility.

Ojudu said, “Democracy is a journey in which everybody should participate. People will still come out to vote”.

Also, the Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Political Matters, Olajide Awe, who voted at Erijiyan Ekiti Ward 04, Unit 04, said the election had been smooth and the situation peaceful in his area.

Awe said, “We have noticed a low turnout of voters here. Those who were supposed to come from outside to vote did not come before of naira scarcity. They do not have the cash to come. This is one of the effects of the cashless policy. People don’t have access to money for transport.”

Also, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, who voted at Atiba/Aafin Ward 001, Akamija Unit 003 at Ikere Ekiti, expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress will coast to victory in all the 26 constituencies.

Afuye said that the professionalism being displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission and security forces had positively rebranded the country’s electoral system.

The deputy governor lauded the electoral body for the quick deployment of voting materials in all the units in the election and as well the security agencies for enforcing restriction of movement and providing watertight security cover in all the polling units for the electorate to discharge their franchise rights.

However, the election has been peaceful as the INEC personnel arrived at their polling units on time just as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System appeared working effectively.