Abia LG polls: Aba residents blame ABSIEC for low voter turnout

A cross-section of the Aba electorate has berated the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) for its alleged poor showing in Saturday’s chairmanship and councillorship elections in the state.

The people blamed the low voter turnout on the late arrival of ABSIEC staff and electoral materials at the polling units, which delayed the commencement of the exercise across the state.

The correspondent, who monitored the election in Aba South, reports that many prospective voters, who turned up to exercise their franchise, became frustrated and left after waiting for several hours without the presence of ABSIEC officials.

At Ngwa Ward 4, materials were delivered at about 4.10pm and accreditation and voting commenced by about 4.38pm

Some voters, who spoke to newsmen on the development, complained about the late delivery of election materials and officials.

They alleged that the delay was delibrate on the part of the commission.

Mr. Udochukwu Eze expressed joy that he finally cast his vote after waiting for a long period of time.

”I voted at Unit 13 Ward 4, and I thank God that the election did not only take place today but was very peaceful too.

“Although ABSIEC came late and many had gone home after waiting for so long, a determined voter had no option but to wait.

“I know that some are just coming from their homes to vote, while some waited nearby for the arrival of materials,” Eze said.

Another voter, Mrs. Agnes Ide, expressed dismay over the delay and called on the state government to do something so that people would not lose confidence in the electoral process.

“I almost went back home, and if I had left, nothing would bring me back,” Ide said.

Supreme News reports that there were no security personnel at the polling centres visited, but the exercise was generally rancour-free.

Reacting to the complaints, Commissioner II in charge of voter education and enlightenment in ABSIEC, Dr. Kelechukwu Okere, said, “It is not true that materials arrived late at the polling units.”.

Okere said that the commission made adequate arrangements for the seamless distribution of materials and election officials to ensure a smooth exercise.