Low voter turnout as Ondo holds LG polls

There is low voter turnout in the ongoing Ondo local government (LG) elections in the state.

The election conducted by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) is expected to hold across the 18 LGAs of the state.

Electorates were observed to have boycotted the exercise, as most of the polling units in Akure south, Akure north and Ifedore LGAs had low turnout of voters.

The Ondo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier withdrawn from participating in the election, citing doubts about the credibility and transparency of ODIEC.

Speaking shortly after casting his vote at polling unit 5, Ugbo Ward 4, in Ilaje LGA, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, commended ODIEC for the seemless conduct of the poll.

He noted that the “exercise is a step towards enhancing grassroots development”.

Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration’s commitment to the effective running of the LG system in the state in line with the provisions of the law.

While voting at unit 16 Igboroko 2, ward 3 in Owo LGA, Olayide Adelami, deputy governor of the state, expressed satisfaction at the turn out of voters and urged others still at home to come out and perform their civic duties.

The deputy governor commended the security agencies and other stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the poll.

“It is important to vote in this election to enable us deepen delivery of good governance at the grassroots level because it is the tier of government that is most close to the people,” Adelami said.

The political parties participating in the election include Action Democratic Party (ADP); Action People’s Party (APP); All Progressives Congress (APC); All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Boot Party (BP).

Others are Labour Party (LP); New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP); Social Democratic Party (SDP); Young Progressives Party (YPP); Zenith Labour Party (ZLP); Action Alliance (AA); and National Rescue Movement (NRM).