ADVERTISEMENT

INEC blames low turnout on poor awareness

Resident INEC Commissioner, Abdullahi Kaugama, said awareness of by-election generally in the country was low.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election resulted from the death of Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

Adewale died in Abuja on July 20.

Alhaji Abdullahi Kaugama, Supervisory Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Ifako/Ijaiye Federal Constituency By-election, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the election.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said that although the commission did its best to create awareness on the exercise, awareness of by-election generally in the country was low.

"Actually, awareness of by-election in Nigeria is low because people don’t know much about it.

”It may also be because political parties did not carry out enough campaigns, but generally, the conduct has been peaceful," he said.

The commissioner said that poll officers and materials got to polling units in time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also speaking to NAN during a routine inspection to the polling units, Mr Fatai Owoseni, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, said that the low turnout was because political parties and their candidates did not carry out adequate campaigns.

"INEC will not go and bring voters out to vote. The parties did not campaign enough for this by-election. Out of six political parties, only about two printed posters.

"Adequate campaigning was not done. So the people did not really know who they are voting for," he said.

Owoseni confirmed that the electoral process had been without any violence.

”It is almost 2p.m. It has been peaceful, and I am advising the contestants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship – election is just like football game. There must be a winner,” Owoseni said,

ADVERTISEMENT

The Administrative Secretary of the commission in Lagos State, Mr Clement Oha, said: “We have been going round; we have visited 90 per cent of the polling units so far.

”I will say I am very impressed except that the turnout is very low. The process is peaceful.

”Our card readers are working 100 per cent; we have not got any complaint whatsoever”.

On the low turnout, Oha said that INEC did its best to sensitise the people in the constituency.

”We went round the nooks and crannies of the constituency for two days to create awareness; so, we cannot explain why people did not turn up.

ADVERTISEMENT

”But generally, I am impressed with the whole process and the conduct of voters and parties.“There is no violence, thuggery, ballot box snatching. All our registration area centres are in top form and ready for collation, ”Oha said.

Mr Babatope Akinyele, the PDP candidate for the election, said that inadequate campaigns caused the voter apathy.

NAN reports that voting had been concluded in most polling units and voting points at Iju, Fagba, Ogba as at the time of this reports, while counting had started.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Obama, Clinton support Biden at NYC fundraiser amid protests

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Tinubu’s refusal to celebrate 72nd birthday marks great leadership - Rahman

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

Adamawa Police reaffirms ban on motorcycles in Yola

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Tinubu appoints Bello as chairman of code of conduct bureau

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT