FCT council election: Peaceful polls in Karu/Nyanya
The Federal Capital Territory council elections have so far been peaceful in the Karu/Nyanna axis of the nation’s capital. In several polling units visited, the exercise was marked by the
The Federal Capital Territory council elections have so far been peaceful in the Karu/Nyanna axis of the nation's capital.
In several polling units visited, the exercise was marked by the peaceful conduct of the electorate who turned out to exercise their franchise. In many stations, voters were seen queuing to wait for their turns.
Officials and materials arrived promptly in many areas. However, at Polling Unit 065, Area 2 by Junction in Nyanya, they arrived late, around 10:27 am.
Their reason was transportation challenges; they had to wait for officials in farther areas to be conveyed first before some of them closer to the INEC office.
Voter apathy was observed in a few Polling Units, but the majority of the Polling Units visited witnessed a large turnout of voters.
For instance, Poling Unit 059, Area D, Mopol Junction, Nyanya, witnessed a large turnout of voters, who conducted themselves properly for the exercise
However, this Unit lacked a stamp. The Presiding Officer said the stamp was unavailable; alternatively, they were instructed to replace the stamp with the PO's signature.
In many areas, the community provided sitting arrangements and shade for the election officials.
In many Polling Units, parties had their agents, while in some, agents were not represented.
The party agents expressed satisfaction with the exercise so far, even though they urged that more be done to drive more participation in the elections.
At one Polling Unit in Nyanya, however, agents reported they could not find the officials and had to go to the INEC Area Office in Nyanya to bring them to the Polling Unit.
Security agents, including Policemen, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officers, Federal Road Safety officers, and Traffic Policemen, were present at the Polling Units.
Trucks of joint security teams were also observed patrolling the highways and inner town to enforce movement directives and maintain order.
