Anambra Guber: INEC should be held responsible for low voter turn-out – Situation Room

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be held responsible for the low voter turn-out witnessed in the recently concluded governorship election in Anambra State.

Daily Trust reports that of the 2.2 million registered voters in the state, a total of 253,388 were accredited to participate in the election which represents 11.2 percent of the total registered voters in Anambra state.

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The Situation Room, at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday noted that the low voter turn-out could be attributed to the inability of the newly registered voters to acquire the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) within the few days provided.

“Situation Room notes that several newly registered voters were unable to collect their Permanent Cards (PVCs) within the few days provided for this exercise, just before the election. This have contributed to the low voter turnout, in addition to the tense political environment in the in the lead up to the election. PVCs arrived one week to voting and this might have led to low voter turn-out and INEC should be held responsible” Ene Obi, the Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation stated at the press briefing.

The Situation also stated that its observers at some polling units noted an organised vote-buying while no arrest was made by the security officials present.