Low turnout has marred the state House of Assembly polls as most people stayed away from polling centres.
It was a total departure from the large turnout that was witnessed during the presidential and national assembly polls on February 25.
In most of the polling centres visited in Onitsha, few voters were seen waiting patiently for the arrival of electoral materials and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
In Awka, the state capital, it was near empty polling units as staff of the INEC, who were on the ground, sat idly.
At Aroma junction 1, Polling Unit 008, Awka South Local Government Area, at 11:20 am, only six persons have been able to vote, despite the commencement of voting at 8:30 am and the swiftness of the BVAS machines.
A voter, Mrs Chika Ndu, told our correspondent, “People are not coming out because they felt their votes may not count because of what happened last three weeks.
“It will take a level of enlightenment for people to accept to come out because they believe their votes will not count.
“I cannot believe that this same place where I found it difficult to cast my vote last three weeks, I can just come in and in less than three minutes, I had cast my vote.”
Another respondent, a trader, Mr Daniel Odozi said, “I think it is early, people will still come out.”
Anambra is one of the states whose governorship elections will not be taking place today (Saturday), therefore, all eyes are on the assembly elections where candidates are jostling for the 30-member legislature.
PUNcH
