By Jimmy
A report by the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room on the governorship polls in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi suggests that the election in Imo is marred by low voter turnout.
In a statement released on the heels of the ongoing governorship election, the CSO detailed that the opening of polls was delayed in many polling units across Imo State.
The report further revealed that observers said that while voters turned out en masse and early to polling both in Kogi and Bayelsa, there was low voter turnout in Imo at the commencement of the election.
“Situation Room observers reported that voters came out early in polling units visited in Kogi and Bayelsa States, while in Imo State, there appears to be low turnout at the commencement of poll,” a statement by Situation Room read.
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The security presence in Imo State was also below average at the polling units visited., a direct contrast to the impressive security presence at the Kogi and Bayelsa elections.
“Generally, there appears to be a good presence of security agents in polling units visited in Kogi and Bayelsa State as observers sighted security personnel in 92% of the polling units visited in Kogi State and 86% of polling units in Bayelsa State. In Imo State, security personnel were sighted in 47% of the polling units visited,” the report added.
Political analysts have earlier expressed worries that the fear of the sit-at-home order issued by a leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, ahead of the poll might result in low voter turnout and apathy at the Imo governorship election.
