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The much-anticipated local government elections in Ogun and Zamfara states on Saturday were marred by a dual challenge: a strikingly low level of voter participation and delays in the arrival of essential voting materials. These developments have reignited debates about voter confidence and the efficiency of election management systems at the local level.
The Eastern Updates has learned that the local government elections in Ogun State experienced considerable setbacks, as accreditation and voting activities in numerous polling units were delayed until approximately 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. This development highlighted logistical challenges that hindered the smooth conduct of the exercise.As of 10:30 a.m., polling units O1, O5, and 13 in Ward 8, Ilisan of Ikenne Local Government Area had yet to receive election materials or officials from the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission. Our correspondent reported observing voters growing increasingly restless as they waited for the delayed process to begin.During an interaction with members of the press, Pa Adetayo Joseph, a voter, criticized the slow start to the electoral process. “Accreditation for this election should have started by 8 a.m., yet it’s nearly 9 a.m., and no one has shown up,” he said, reflecting the growing impatience among the electorate.
“We are not happy this is happening because some voters can be discouraged and go back home without voting. So, we urge the officials of OGSIEC to please come around and get this job done”.
While polling unit 005 in the Wesley Primary School, located in Iperu Ward 5, began voting at around 11 a.m., voters at polling unit 11 in the same school remained in a state of waiting by 11:45 a.m., still without any sign of OGSIEC officials.
In Abeokuta North, ward 16 unit 15, Mango junction, Oke-Ata; ward 16 unit 28, Ika Oloba 28; ward 16 unit 17, Oluwo Odunjo; ward 16 units 1 and 2, Oke-Ata Housing Estate, the anxious voters as of 11:52am were still waiting for the arrival of the officials and voting materials.
Read also: Ogun LG Elections: Labour Party Alleges Rigging, Irregularites
However, Governor Dapo Abiodun who cast his vote at about 11:24 at polling unit 002, Ita Osanyin, Iperu Ward 3 in Ikenne Local Government, hailed the peaceful conduct of the election.
Abiodun while speaking to journalists after voting lauded OGSIEC for their level of preparedness to ensure the success of the elections.
The governor said though there were little glitches with the logistics, everything was resolved and election materials reached every nook and cranny of the state.
Abiodun said, “In any election, we cannot rule out some logistics hiccups but by and large I have been informed that as of now, the election materials have reached every nook and cranny of the state and voting has commenced in earnest”.
Opposition parties, however, condemned the conduct of the election, saying that it fell short of acceptable standards of a credible, free and fair poll.
The Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Sunday Solarin while speaking with our correspondent, claimed that no election took place in the state.
Solarin said “I am not aware that election took place in the state today, what we had was a sham, the unleashing of violence against members of opposition parties by thugs loyal to the APC
The Chairman of the Labour Party, Lookman Jagun, at a press briefing held in Abeokuta, also faulted OGSIEC, saying the electoral body connived with the ruling All Progressives Congress to defraud the residents of the state.
Jagun said, “Sadly, the Chairman of OGSIEC, Babatunde Osibodu has failed to use the opportunity of the local government election to distinguish himself. What took place in Ogun state today falls short of the minimum standard required for the conduct of an election.”
The Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Tunde Oladunjoye, however, faulted the claims of the opposition parties, describing them as losers.
Meanwhile in Zamfara State, the electorate deserted polling units, leaving the electoral officers alone with election materials.
It was observed that, although the electoral officers arrived at their various polling centres on time, only a few people were seen in lines waiting to cast their votes.
People were going about their businesses as if no election was taking place, unlike the previous elections where people reported to their polling centres on time to avoid overcrowding.
It was gathered that the refusal of the opposition APC to participate in the election might be one of the factors that hindered the participation of the electorate
