Election: low turnout in Somolu amidst heavy security
The Governorship and House of Assembly Elections on Saturday recorded low turnout in some parts of Somolu Constituency 1&2 in Lagos.
A correspondent who monitored the election reports that as at 9:45 a.m., some polling units had yet not started accreditations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were not seen at Ward E, unit 012, 011 and 009 and some part of Ward F as at 9:45 a.m.
Mr Abiodun Orekoya, the House of Assembly candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Constituency 1 said that the exercise was delayed in some areas.
Orekoya said: “You can see that as at 9.30 a.m., l have not voted in my unit because the INEC official said there was no ink pad to commence accreditation and voting.
“I hope that people will come out en masse to vote; It is too early to comment on the level turnout, for now.
Similarly, Mr Samuel Apata, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for House of Assembly, Constituency 2, lauded the early arrival of INEC officials within his constituency.
Apata, however, urged the people to come out, exercise their franchise and wait to defend their votes before going back home.
“I voted at about 8:50 a.m. in unit 021, Ward F and it was peaceful.
“The election conduct, so far, is commendable and laudable. I hope this continues till when INEC closes for the day,” he said.
The law enforcement agents were sighted in most parts of the area to ensure security.
It was also observed that youths turned major roads into football pitches.
Mrs Showunmi Titilayo, INEC Electoral Officer, Somolu, said that elections would be conducted in 12 Wards and 616 polling units in Somolu Constituency 1&2.
Titilayo said that all INEC officials had been in their respective locations as at 6: 30 a.m.
“l am not sure that some of my officials were not on ground as at 9:30 a.m., but l will finds out.
“I expect whosoever had issues in locating their polling units to have called for clarity,” she said.
