Low voter turnout, delayed electoral materials mar Adamawa LG polls

The election to fill chairmanship positions in the 21 local government areas and councillorship seats in the 226 political wards of Adamawa State on Saturday was marred by low voter turnout. 

There were also reported cases of inadequate or non-arrival of electoral materials, as well as alleged irregularities in some areas.

The election was, however, largely peaceful across the state, with no reports of violence or crisis in any of the hundreds of political wards.

Many who spoke on the exercise gave it a pass mark, including the incumbent Chairman of Yola North Local Government Area, Hon. Jibril Jimeta, who, at his Yelwa Ward, where he voted, said both turnout and deployment of materials were tolerable.

The chairman, who is contesting for a return for a second term, told journalists covering the election: “I agree that more people should have come out to vote, but even in general elections, voter apathy has long been a thing of concern.”

The election was conducted by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC).

The chairman of the commission, Alhaji Muhammed Umar, confirmed in a news interview that there were reports of late or non-arrival of election materials in some areas, despite efforts to ensure their timely distribution.

Umar, who spoke shortly before noon on Saturday, assured that checks were being carried out to verify such allegations and correct identified anomalies.