Low Voter Turnout Mars Smooth Start of Kuje Council Election
Accreditation and voting began smoothly across polling units in Kuje Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Saturday, though a pronounced low turnout of voters defined the early hours of the exercise. The early deployment of electoral materials and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff facilitated a peaceful commencement at most visited locations.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), INEC officials and materials arrived at several polling units as early as 7:30 a.m. Units observed included 035 behind the Secretariat, 030 at Kauna Plaza, and 003, 004, 026, and 032 at Kayarda Primary School. Agents from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) were present to monitor the process.
Despite the punctual start, voter presence was significantly sparse. At Kauna Plaza polling unit 030, the APC agent, Mr. Abraham Silas, directly linked the apathy to a technical issue with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). “Voters were told to wait till 10 a.m. when the BVAS was designed to start working,” Silas said, noting that many potential voters left the vicinity, planning to return later. This sentiment was echoed by a voter, Mr. Dauda Attah, who also cited the 10 a.m. BVAS configuration as a reason for the thin crowd, though he expressed optimism about casting his vote and a peaceful process.
The PDP agent, Mr. Ado Shekwolo, offered a different perspective, stating he was satisfied with the security situation and hopeful for a hitch-free, credible election. Meanwhile, an APC agent at Kayarda Primary School, Mr. Sani Mohammed, attributed the low turnout to a broader voter attitude, suggesting, “voters tend to develop a nonchalant attitude to council elections than national elections.” A voter at the same school, Hajiya Fatimah Adeoye, also noted her dismay at the poor turnout.
The Assistant Presiding Officer at Kauna Plaza, Mrs. Jamila Sabo, described the overall situation as peaceful, confirming that electoral materials arrived early and there were no security challenges.
The election for Kuje Area Council chairmanship and councillorship positions continues, with the low early turnout presenting a notable challenge despite the orderly logistical arrangements. The final turnout and outcome will be closely watched as an indicator of civic engagement in the nation’s capital council elections.
