Election: Rivers records low turnout of voters

Voting in the governorship and state houses of assembly election in Rivers starts early on Saturday as a result of improved logistics by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

But the turnout of voters was very low compared to the situation in the February 25 presidential and national assembly election

However, some of the early voters were top government officials and candidates in the election.

For instance, Emeka Woke,the Chief of staff to Governor Nyesom Wike voted at about 8.30 am at ward 3 unit 14 Welekwe in Emohua Local Government Area.

Speaking after voting, Woke commended INEC for improvement in the working of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, in his polling unit. He expressed optimism that as rural community, there will remarkable turnout of Voters later in the day.

Nathaniel Uwaji, a members of Rivers House of Assembly representing Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni ONELGA Constituency 2 and the Director General of Onelga PDP Campaign Council, and his wife Mrs. Patience Uwaji Oguamanam also voted in Onelga Ward 5, Unit 13.

Accord Governorship candidate in Rivers State chief Dumo Lulu Briggs and Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr.Tammy Danagogo and the Commissioner Culture and Tourism, Onide Briggs all cast their votes in their different Polling Units in Ward 4 Unit 1 Akuku Tori, Young Briggs Memorial Hall; Opu-Oyibo (Jack Whyte) Compound Ward 10, Unit 4; and Ward 4 Unit 2, Briggs Compound in Abonnema, respectively.

There were reports from Egbeda, in Emohua local government that one PraiseGod Ajah, who is supposed to be the Ward Agent at Ward 11, Unit 4, was allegedly abducted rd and beaten up by thugs.

Labour Party, Governorship candidate, Beatrice Itubo, also cast her vote at Ward 1 Unit 6 in Ogbakiri in Emohua LGA. Rivers State.

She said voting was peaceful in her unit, but complained of reports alleged disenfranchisement in some parts of the state.