2019 Polls: FCT Records Impressive Voters’ Turnout, Complains

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BY EVELYN DADU, ABUJA – Voters’ turnout for the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was quite impressive. 

As early as 6am, most residents in the six Area Councils were already out in their Polling Units (PUs) and Voting Point Settlements (VPS) waiting to cast their votes for candidates of their choice.

Some of the polling units visited by our correspondents in Kuje, Kwali, Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Councils showed that most of the early arrivals took numbers to queue up for the voting before the electoral and security officials arrived with the voting materials.

Though most centres commenced voting at the stipulated time of 8am, the exercise was generally peaceful and our correspondents report that some polling units did not have INEC adhoc staff, electoral materials and security personnel on ground before 10.30am

Also, the faulty card readers posed a challenge at some of the centres but the voters who spoke with Forefront said they were determined to wait and vote at anytime the officials arrived with the electoral materials.

The security situation in the Nation’s Capital City was also tight with fully armed Military officers and men mounting check points at various spots to compliment efforts by Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS), and other paramilitary agencies on duty at the polling units to ensure smooth, free and fair electoral process. 

There was stampede at Nyanya, a suburb of the FCT following late arrival of sensitive voting materials at the Ungwar Bawa Primary School Polling Unit. 

Another noticeable challenge which irked some voters within the FCT was the non-signing of ballot papers as well as their not being dated by the electoral officers before issuing them to prospective voters

At Chibiri ward in Kuje Area Council, some voters brought along the old Permanent Voters Cards (PVC), carrying two passport photographs to vote but for the timely intervention of the officials on ground, the people were stopped.

However, the situation in Bwari Area Council witnessed many voters unable to cast their ballots, especially at Dutsen Alhaji Primary School Polling unit because INEC officials could neither find their names on the voters’ register nor direct them to where their actual polling units are located in the area. 

Speaking with Forefront, Igbojesu Dan lamented how the electoral officials were very unhelpful in assisting them to locate their respective polling units among the 10 that were scattered around the community.

According to him, without any form of transportation, they had to trek long distances, hoping to eventually locate where they could vote but to no avail.

He confirmed that many voters were frustrated and discouraged from voting in Dutsen Alhaji, noting that; “INEC is not independent as it is claimed. I am convinced that there is a deliberate plan to frustrate the people.” 

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