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Governor Dickson Satisfied With Bayelsa LG Elections Marred By Voter Apathy

Posted: March 24, 2013 - 

By SaharaReporters, New York

Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Seriake Dickson on Saturday bragged that he was impressed with the conduct of the local government elections that were almost a non-event on account of a poor turnout of voters.
Observers who monitored the elections said that the poor participation was an indication of the popularity rating of the government of the day which recently introduced higher tax rates for its workforce and is in a new law also clamping down on free speech.
At Toru Orua community in Sagbama LGA country, home of Dickson, the governor cast his vote at about 12 noon, and told newsmen that he was satisfied with the turnout of voters.
He said the turnout of his people underscored their determination to elect popular and credible candidate.
However, at St. Peters polling unit, Ovom Yenagoa, an electoral officer, in reaction to the poor showing, disclosed that the materials had only arrived at about 11:30am, and accreditation about to commence.
But there were just a handful of voters at the polling unit, as many Bayelsa residents remained indoors during the period of the elections.
At the St. Peter polling unit, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Markson Fefegha, told newsmen that though the materials arrived late, he was confident that the election would go on smoothly.
"Though the materials arrived late, however, I am sure the elections will pick as you can see, the officials are about to commence the accreditation of voters", Fefegha said.
The low turnout in Saturday's local government elections was noticeable across the eight local government councils of Bayelsa.
Most polling stations visited were deserted, and electoral officers uniformly complained of late arrival of electoral materials.
In Otuoke, hometown of President Goodluck Jonathan, electoral materials were by noon yet to arrive.
Mr. Onus Omale, a teacher, said at a polling station that mobilization and awareness for the elections was poor, and that many people were probably unaware of the elections.
"I want to believe that many Bayelsans are unaware of today's elections.  Imagine an election is going on and people are in their houses, with others going about their business. The government did not carry out proper awareness and mobilization, I believe."