Mrs Comfort Ndu, APC agent in Oyigbo Ward 5, has decried a low turnout of voters in the Rivers LG elections, attributing it to poor voter education in the area.
Speaking with NAN on Saturday, she said that although the election was hitch free as at the time, very few voters were exercising their franchise in the elections.
Ndu, an APC agent a ward 5, Unit 10, said she looked forward to seeing more eligible voters come forward to vote but yet the low turnout.
She also said that some of the voters who came were not registered at the centre and consequently not allowed to cast their votes.
She attributed the situation to poor voter education in the area which would have checked the challenges associated with transfer and relocation of the voters.
Ndu, however, called for intensive voter education to help check such challenges in future elections.
Mr Ekemsi Ukwa, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s Returning officer for Ward 7 Unit 1, said voting and accreditation commenced simultaneously at 10 a.m. in the unit.
According to him, sensitive electoral materials arrived the unit at about 9:40 a.m. while accreditation and voting began at 10 a.m; voting is expected to end at 3 p.m.
”So far, voters have been coming and the process has been hitch-free,’’ he said.
Mr William Warigbani, a party agent, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that the party unanimously endorsed the APC Chairmanship candidate, Okechukwu Akara.
Warigbani said the exercise had been smooth as party members were also turning in to exercise their franchise.
Security operatives, including police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were seen at the various polling units.
While few voters were also seen casting their votes at the Obeama community Primary school polling units, some youths were also sighted playing football at the school’s field.
Rivers LG polls: Residents defy no-movement order, cite economic hardship
Meanwhile, some traders and shop owners in Obio/Akpor area of Rivers on Saturday opened for business in defiance of the state government’s no-movement directive during the local government council elections.
They cited economic hardship and survival concerns as reasons for opening their businesses despite the ban.
The Rivers Government had earlier declared a 12-hour no-movement order across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGA).
The restriction is intended to ensure the smooth conduct of elections to fill chairmanship and councillorship positions across the LGAs.
Despite the order, NAN observed that some shops and roadside stalls were open, with traders attending to customers while the election was underway.
Mr Chinedu Okoro, a provision store owner at Woji Ward 6, told NAN that although he was aware of the directive, he had no choice but to open his shop.
“I have three children and a sick mother to take care of. If I don’t sell today, we won’t eat. The government should understand that not everyone can afford to stay indoors without income,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs Comfort Brown, who operates a food stall, said she resumed business early on Saturday morning to avoid losing her perishable goods.
“I bought vegetables and meat yesterday before I was told of the restriction. If I don’t cook and sell, everything will spoil. I cannot afford that kind of loss,” Brown said.
Another resident, who identified herself simply as Miss Blessing, a fruit seller, said that rather than stay idle at home without power supply, she decided to open for business.
She added that despite the restriction on movement, people still move around for various reasons.
“I am not here to cause trouble, but just to help and earn something small,” she concluded.