Low turnout, voter apathy trail FCT council polls in Nyanya, Karu

Mixed voter turnout defined Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections across the Nyanya and Karu axis, with several polling units recording low participation despite a largely peaceful process and real-time transmission of results.

Findings across multiple polling units visited by BusinessDay showed that while some centres experienced a steady flow of voters, the majority struggled with low turnout, with inadequate voter education and political apathy cited as key factors.

At Polling Unit 007 in Nyanya, accreditation and voting commenced smoothly, but turnout remained noticeably low.

Electoral officials were observed transmitting results in real time, while personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) maintained order at the venue.

Economic activities around the Chief Palace Under Mango Polling Unit area in Karu were partially disrupted.

Most nearby shops remained closed, although a few food vendors operated within the vicinity, providing refreshments to voters and election officials.

In contrast, Polling Unit 068 in Nyanya witnessed a significant influx of voters. Residents arrived in numbers to participate in the exercise, with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) capturing voters’ details before they cast their ballots.

Results were also transmitted electronically from the unit.

However, tension briefly flared at Polling Unit 005 when some voters became agitated after failing to find their names on the register, leading to a momentary breakdown of order as officials worked to restore calm and continue the accreditation process.

Security personnel intervened to restore calm.

Similarly, Polling Unit 012 in Karu recorded a large turnout.

Security operatives were strategically stationed around the area, and voting proceeded peacefully, with voters orderly going through accreditation before casting their ballots.

Read also: Low turnout, vote-buying, logistical gaps mar FCT council polls

Despite these pockets of activity, the overall turnout across most polling units visited remained low.

At Polling Unit 034, which has 517 registered voters, only 33 voters were recorded as of the time of visit.

Other polling units visited by BusinessDay had fewer than 50 voters each.

In fact, about 80 per cent of polling units observed in Nyanya and Karu recorded less than 20 per cent of their total registered voters, reflecting widespread apathy.

Several voters attributed the low participation to inadequate voter education.

Many residents were seen moving from one location to another in search of their designated polling units, expressing frustration over the difficulty in locating them.

Some voters who spoke with BusinessDay also cited the withdrawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the race as a reason for staying away from the polls.

“The election is already decided. Why should people go through the stress of voting?” Samuel Adeyomo, a resident of Nyanya remarked, echoing a sentiment shared by others at different polling centres.

He expressed disappointment at the turnout, noting that declining participation reflects growing disinterest in the country’s electoral process.

“People are losing interest in elections in this country, judging by the low turnout,” he said.

Although there were partial restrictions of movement across parts of Nyanya and Karu, residents were still seen going about their businesses.

Overall, the election process in the areas monitored was largely peaceful, with security presence and real-time result transmission observed.