The ongoing Area Councils elections within the Federal Capital Territory FCT , is witnessing very low voters turn out as people go about their businesses.
In Kuje Area Council, people were seen going about their activities, as polling units are empty, despite early arrival of voting materials and INEC officials.
One of the party agents who spoke to BusinessDay, at the Kucheako Ward B polling unit, attributed the situation to what he described as ” lack of confidence in the electoral process ”
The agent who carried an APC tag said ” many people are refusing to turn out because they don’t believe that their votes will count.”
Peter, Inec domestic observer speaking with Business day reporter at kabusa polling unit 004, waru primary school, Abuja said “As at the time of setting up materials, the people I counted here were not up to ten, unlike the presidential election when everywhere was filled up before setting up but today we can count the number of persons here”.
“It is clear that most of the voters are discouraged from the result of the presidential polls, and most people are not concerned about any other candidate apart from the presidential candidate”.
Also Lilian Yusuf, APGA party agent, speaking to BusinessDay said “We have up to 819 voters in this polling unit but just look around, the people here are not up to 100.
“People are already saying there is no need to vote that the people in power already knows who will win so there is no need of coming out to vote.
They are buying votes obviously, they give them N200, but we don’t know who is buying. Most of the people here do not know who the candidates are but they are here knowing that they can get some money by selling their votes.
Also, speaking with the supposed voters, Idris said ” my vote did not count in the presidential election so there is no need wasting my time again, even I do not know these candidates, it’s better I stay in my house”.
However, shops are seen opened for normal business, unlike the during the presidential election when all shops were shut down and everyone interested in voting for there preferred candidate.
Anthony Ailemen & Cynthia Egboboh, Abuja
