Contrary to expectations that the governorship and state assemblies’ polls will witness massive participation, polling officers are having a relaxed day due to poor voter turnout.
This is even as the BIVAS machines were working perfectly and the environment was peaceful.
In the 20 polling units visited in the Alagbado area of Lagos State (from Casso to Alakuko) by Sunday Sun yesterday, polling officers, party agents and members of public interviewed expressed surprise over the low turnout of voters compared with the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.
Opinions were however divided over the reason for the poor turnout. Some people blamed the situation on the Naira crunch created by the failure of the Central Bank and the commercial banks to make cash available to the people.
They say this has discouraged many voters who had thought that after the presidential poll, the Presidency and CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele would implement the Supreme Court order and make sufficient money available to the public.
They believe many prospective voters reminded at home stranded and disenchanted to come out and cast their vote.
Others blame the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for two reasons.
They said the decision of INEC to create new polling units out of the existing ones disenfranchised some voters as they couldn’t locate their new voting unit(s), especially in a situation where there was no means of transport and money to move from one area to another.
Also, they said many voters shunned yesterday polls because they have lost faith in INEC and the entire electoral process, alleging that the presidential election was rigged.
Those in this category of voters believe that the true winner of the presidential poll was not declared, stressing that their vote won’t count in the guber and state assemblies’ polls.