Plateau guber, state Assembly elections mar by voter apathy
By Daniel Agada, Jos
The gubernatorial and state Assembly elections held Saturday 18th, 2023, in Plateau state witnessed a low turnout of voters.
Our correspondent who went round some of the Local Government across the state observed there is a huge voter apathy despite early arrival of INEC adhoc staff.
It was also learned some polling units and experienced large turnout of voters, most especially the local governments where top contending candidates came from as each of them holding to their enclaves.
Pundits believed what is responsible for low turnout of voters in Plateau could be the outcome of 25th February, 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections which has weakened majority voters
Speaking to newsmen after voting in Pushik 003 polling unit, Ampan West, Mangu local government council, the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Caleb Mutfwang said the exercise is peaceful as he commended INEC for improvement.
Mutfwang expressed concern over mix up of sensitive election materials in some LGAs, called on the electoral umpire INEC to do the needful and safe voters from been disenfranchised.
He assured of victory at the end of the exercise.charged electorates to go to their respective polling units and exercise their civic right without any fair of intimidation or molestation.
Candidate for the ruling All Progressive Congress,APC, Nentawe Yilwatda applauded voters for coming to cast their votes.
Yilwatda who spoke to journalists in his hometown Dungung, Kanke Local Government acknowledged that he is the most attack and propagate candidate during the electioneering campaign, therefore, “victory is certain.”
Dr. Patrick Dakum of Labour Party who casted his vote at Adin Jiblik Federal ward in Pankshin local Government, admit they do not encounter any challenge with Bimodal voters accreditation system, BVAS.
He said based on reports he received from the field there low turnout of voters and there is shortage of about 1,000 ballot papers for governorship and that of state Assembly is intact in one ward in Qua’an-Pan LGA.
“So we hope where there is substantial INEC would stop until the right ballot papers is bring to do the needful”.
Dakum is optimistic that there is light at the end of the tunnel
despite challenges.
