Low voter turnout was recorded on Saturday morning at polling units located around the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Staff Quarters area in Karu, within the Federal Capital Territory, during the ongoing Area Council elections.
Correspondents who visited CBN Junction Polling Units 1 and 2 between 9:40 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. observed that only a handful of voters had arrived at the polling stations, despite a combined total of nearly 1,500 registered voters assigned to the two units. Electoral officials and party agents were largely seen waiting idly for more voters to turn up.
Speaking at CBN Junction Polling Unit 1, the Assistant Presiding Officer, Mercy Bassey, disclosed that the unit has about 735 registered voters. She expressed concern over the low turnout several hours after voting commenced.
“Voting started around 8:30 a.m., but only a few voters have shown up so far,” Bassey said. “As you can see, the place is still largely empty. We are expecting about 735 registered voters, but most of them have not come out yet.”
She, however, expressed optimism that turnout could improve later in the day. According to her, there were no security or logistical challenges at the polling unit, and the atmosphere remained calm and orderly.
“We are hopeful that before the end of voting, more people will come out to exercise their civic rights. For now, everything is peaceful and there are no issues,” she added.
At CBN Junction Polling Unit 2, Assistant Presiding Officer 3, Moses Ibrahim, gave a similar account. He stated that about 767 registered voters are expected at the unit, but only a small number had voted as of mid-morning.
“This polling unit has about 767 registered voters, but many people are not out yet,” Ibrahim said. “Only a few voters have cast their ballots, but voting is ongoing and officials are on ground.”
As of the time of filing this report, election officials remained at their duty posts, hopeful that voter turnout in the Karu CBN axis would increase as the day progressed.
