Bayelsa Election Records Low Voter Turnout

Guardian

12 February 2012

Bayelsa Election Records Low Voter Turnout .

• Blame Uncertainties, Legal Tussle — Jonathan

• CAN Alleges Skirmishes, Shootings In Sagbama

MINOR skirmishes and low voter turnout were reported in yesterday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State, a situation President Jonathan linked directly to pre-election uncertainties occasioned by legal tussles between contending principal actors.                    

Jonathan, who voted in Otueke, Ogbia Local Government Council, said reports from the eight local government areas of the state indicated that voters were less enthusiastic about the governorship election in which 35 political parties participated.

The President had arrived the Otazi-playground polling centre in Ward 13 (Otuabula), unit 39 in Otueke where he cast his vote at 12:50 pm. He noted that, despite political turbulence, the conduct of the election was generally peaceful.

Expressing optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson, would emerge victorious, President Jonathan said he expects good governance from the member of the House of Representatives.

Though the election was generally considered peaceful, National Youth leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the party’s director of campaign, Ebikibina Miriki, told The Guardian, on telephone, that there was sporadic shootings in his hometown, Torufani  in Sagbama Council, and some persons attacked with machetes.