There is a low voter turnout at several polling units in the Abuja Municipal Area Council during the ongoing Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections.
A visit by our correspondent to polling units 012, 080 and 081 at Utako Secondary school in Gwarinpa Registration Area revealed sparse attendance as electoral officials commenced voting procedures.
At Polling Units, voting began around 8:30 a.m., but by 8:55a.m., no single voter has shown up at any of the polling units.
A party agent attributed the low turnout to movement restrictions due to curfew imposed by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.
“Many voters around here work here and they are unable to move.”
At polling units 006, 007 and 008 in City Center Registration Area, voter turnout was also low.
“We are still waiting for people to come out and vote. Though we commenced at 8:30 a.m., as of 9:50 a.m., only seven people have voted,” an officer told our correspondent.
Similarly, at Polling Unit 008, officials attended to the few voters present while awaiting the arrival of more residents. Despite the low turnout, electoral materials and machines were reported to be functioning properly.
“Everything is going on fine. There are no issues with the machines for now. We are waiting for more voters,” another presiding officer said.
Security personnel were visibly stationed around the polling areas to ensure order and protect electoral materials.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Correctional Service were deployed to maintain a peaceful voting environment.