Low voter turnout was observed in several polling units across Ahoada East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II during Saturday’s Rivers State House of Assembly by-elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is conducting the by-election to fill vacant seats and restore full legislative representation in the affected constituencies.
In Khana Constituency II, particularly Ward 2, covering Polling Units 1 to 13, voting began at about 9:00 a.m. However, as of 1:25 p.m., only a small number of voters had cast their ballots.
At Polling Units 1 and 13, which have 800 and 583 registered voters respectively, turnout remained minimal at the time of filing this report.
Despite the low participation, the process was peaceful and orderly. INEC ad hoc staff were present at the polling units, with sensitive materials and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines set up and functioning. Security personnel were also deployed to maintain order.
A similar situation was recorded in Ahoada East Constituency II, particularly in Ogbelu Ward 9, where low turnout was noted across seven polling units visited.
Some voters who spoke to journalists attributed the apathy to inadequate sensitisation and the disqualification of major opposition parties from the election.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is the only major political party participating in the by-election.
INEC had earlier barred the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Labour Party (LP) from fielding candidates, citing failure to meet stipulated requirements for participation.
Responding to concerns about voter apathy, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Mr. Gabriel Yomere, said the commission carried out extensive sensitisation ahead of the exercise.
According to him, INEC engaged traditional rulers, political stakeholders, and civil society organisations across the affected local government areas to mobilise voters.
“The traditional rulers deployed town criers who moved around to inform people across the various communities in the constituencies,” he said.
“In addition, we engaged politicians and civil society organisations, and aired radio jingles, which are still being broadcast today.”
Yomere added that while the commission made significant efforts to sensitise the electorate, it could not compel citizens to participate in the voting process.