By Godwin Akor, Makurdi
Leader of the observer team from various states, Professor Garba Ibrahim Shekau, today described the local government elections held in Bene state as peaceful.
The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KSIEC,Chairman told journalists after monitoring the election with observers from other states that the turn out was relatively low because of COVID-19 pandemic.
He said at the polling units he visited within Makurdi metropolis, voters observed social distancing and use of face masks, adding that the elections started as early as eight o’clock in the morning.
On his part. Chairman of the Benue State Inndependent Electoral Commission, BSIEC,, Mr Tersoo Loko, said considering the COVID-19 scare, the turn out of voters was impressive
He said sensitive and non-sensitive materials were distributed early to the 23 local government areas, pointing out that security men escorted them to local government headquarters.
According to him, adequate security was provided for the election
The state Commissioner of Police, Mukadas Garba, , had disclosed that over 5,000 police men had been assigned to provide security for the local government elections of Saturday, May 30.
Reports reaching 247ureports.com indicated that even as there was low turnout of voters, Saturday’s local government elections were peacefully conducted across the state.
State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, voted at Obagaji, headquarters of Agatu local government while Governor Samuel Ortom voted at Gbajimba, eadquarters of Guam local government area.
247ureports.com checks showed that Makurdi, the state capital was generally busy during the election because the monthly sanitation exercise was canceled to enable the people exercise their franchise under COVID-19 social distancing and other guidelines like use of face masks.