The Local Government Elections in Umuahia and Aba areas of Abia took place on Saturday, amidst late delivery of materials and other logistics hitches that delayed voting.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that in places where materials came early, the voter turnout was impressive but low in areas where materials were delivered several hours behind schedule.
NAN also observed that there was large turnout of voters in areas where a Chairmanship or Councillorship Candidates hail from.
In Umuahia, voting commenced between 11am and 12.45 pm in many polling units as against 8am, following the delay in the delivery of election materials.
NAN reports that voter turnout was largely impressive at Aba Park Polling Unit and Polling Units 001, 002 and 018 at Umuwaya Road Primary School and Urban Ward 1 Umuwaya Primary School Polling Unit 29.
In an interview with NAN, some voters expressed disappointment over the delay in the delivery of election materials.
They, however, expressed delight over the peaceful conduct of the exercise at their polling units.
A civil servant, Chiwetara Okwesiri, said that he cast his vote around 2p.m.
Mr Okwesiri said that, although the delay initially dampened his zeal, he was ultimately glad to vote, saying that he was impressed by the peaceful atmosphere.
A trader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, also said that he had a smooth experience and was able to vote for his preferred candidates.
“At first, it seemed like the election might not hold, but I am happy it went ahead as planned, and I was able to participate,” he said.
At the Abia University Primary School, Abayi, Aba, the turnout was poor.
Mr David Chimezie, an All Progressives Grand Alliance agent at Ward 3 Unit 090, expressed concern over the poor turnout of voters.
He said that only three persons voted at the unit, which was concluding endorsement of the results at the time NAN visited.
He, however, said the election went on smoothly without any problem or interferences.
Celestine Ogbonna said he got to his polling unit at about 11 am.
“By that time, the materials had not come and after waiting for about one hour and not seeing anything, I went back home,” he said.
At Ayaba Umueze Primary School Ward 3 unit 013, Mr Happiness Amaechi, a Zenith Labour Party agent said the turnout was massive at the unit.
He said that the polling officers came around 1pm and that voting ended when ballot papers got exhausted.
As at 4:45pm, the party agents and polling officers at the centre were still counting the votes.
At Abayi Amaugwu Ward 3 Unit 010, the election started at about 2 pm and ended before 4 pm.
NAN learnt that only few persons that waited for the materials were able to vote at the unit, while many others, who lacked the patience to wait, retired home earlier.
NAN
