Ekiti LG election records low turnout

The local government election held in the 177 wards in Ekiti State yesterday recorded a low turnout of voters, just as the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not participate in the election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other parties participated in the councillorship, while only eight parties participated in the chairmanship election for the 16 local government areas/22 local council development areas in the state.

The political parties that participated included ADC, AA, A, ADP, APC, APGA, APP, LP, NNPP, NRM, PRP, SDP, YPP and ZLP.

Commercial activities were going on unhindered in many places while the election lasted, even though there was restriction during the election.

Assessing the local government election, Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, said local government elections could get better as the most critical arm of government at the grassroots level.

Oyebanji said he was happy that the election was taking place during his tenure to democratise the government at that level.

“The people on their own will have the opportunity to choose their representatives at the local government level. The turnout is a bit low and that tells me that we need to do more on voter education and sensitisation,” he said.