By Pioneer News
The Rivers State local government elections on Saturday were marred by low voter turnout and late arrival of electoral materials, casting a shadow over the exercise across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Our correspondent who monitored the polls in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor observed a striking scene: instead of heading to the polling units, many young people of voting age were seen on the streets playing football and engaging in leisure activities, signaling a wave of voter apathy.
As at 11:00 a.m., several polling units in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor were yet to receive voting materials, leaving residents frustrated. In some areas, the electoral process did not commence until between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., hours behind schedule.
Despite the delays, voting eventually began in parts of PHALGA, Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Khana, Eleme, Oyigbo, Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Okrika, Tai, Gokana, and Degema, though not without complaints over the sluggish start.
While some polling units had kicked off the process by midday, others were still waiting anxiously for electoral officials and materials.
Notably, the elections were conducted under a relatively peaceful atmosphere, with heavy presence of security operatives across wards and polling stations to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The polls featured a broad field of political parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and several others, bringing the total to 18 participating parties.
However, analysts fear that the twin challenges of poor turnout and late commencement may dent the credibility of the exercise, especially in a state long known for its high-stakes political contests.
PIONEER NEWS 