15th April, 2023
By Christian Ogbonna/NAN
Voter apathy trailed Saturday’s supplementary election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi.
There was a low turnout of voters in some of the polling units visited in the Ikwo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The supplementary elections are taking palace in some constituencies in the seven affected LGAs in Ebonyi, including Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ezza North, Ezza South, Ikwo, and Ivo.
The election is being conducted in Ikwo to elect the representative for the Ikwo North constituency in the Ebonyi House of Assembly.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the elections inconclusive in the areas due to violence and irregularities.
In Ndiogadoshi playground, polling unit 017 ward 02 in Ikwo Local Government Area, NAN reported that INEC officials arrived with materials at 9:25 a.m.
In Ugbodo village hall and Olua playground, INEC Officials were present but voter turnout was low.
An INEC official, who spoke in anonymity, said accreditation went smoothly but was worried by the apathy among voters.
“The BVAS is working well and accreditation is ongoing,” the official added.
Some eligible voters cited indifference among other things, as a reason for their lack of interest in the process.
Mrs. Joy Nwanchor, a trader, said she could not have an interest anymore after the general elections.
“The voting is just a waste of time and energy because the votes do not count in any way in this country, Nigeria. So, no need for me queueing for voting,” Nwanchor stated.
Mr. Sunday Chukwu also expressed worry over the election processes, pointing out that there was a need to revamp the electoral body if we want to have credible and reliable elections in the country.
“I cannot go out because the last elections were not encouraging. Whether I vote or not a winner will emerge,” Chukwu added.