Abuja – Political stakeholders, including voters, party agents and monitors have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s council polls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
They made the commendation in separate interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at polling units in Abuja.
Mr Ruben Shekolo, a voter at the Garki Village Primary School polling unit, said “INEC deserves commendation, especially for early opening of polling units and the introduction of simultaneous accreditation and voting’’.
“The election is not only peaceful, the process of voting in less cumbersome compared with previous elections.
“This is the first time that INEC is introducing this voting process in the FCT and we really enjoyed it because it fast tracks the voting time.
“We love it and we want the commission to sustain the process,’’ Shekwolo said.
Mr Seun Jacob, another voter at polling unit 016, Area 8, said that the new process adopted by the commission would boost the credibility of the election.
“This is one of the best things that INEC has done for the electorate. I believe this would encourage more people to participate in future elections,’’ he said.
Mr Abdullahi Jabi, Team Leader of an observer group, New Global Centre for Youth Development, said although there was voter apathy in many polling units, the process was peaceful.
Jabi said that there were adequate election materials in all the polling units he visited, adding that 50 per cent of the materials may likely not be used because of low turnout of voters in parts of the territory.
“The distribution of the materials as well as the security coverage is commendable.
“The introduction of simultaneous accreditation and voting process has shortened the process of voting and enable voters to use their time for something else. I think it is a very good thing,’’ Jabi said.
Mrs Airat Omilabu, another election observer, said that people were able to do their accreditation and voting smoothly and card reader failure report was “very low, possibly below one per cent’’.
Mr Jebulo Chenda and Mr Musa Mohammed, polling agents for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All the Progressives Congress (APC) at Polling Unit 002, Chief Palace, Garki Village, also expressed satisfaction with the election.
According to Chenda, election materials and INEC officials arrived at the centre before 8 a.m. and commenced the exercise on time. (NAN)