Bayelsa gov election: Apathy, low turnout mar exercise

Tribune

12 February 2012

Bayelsa gov election: Apathy, low turnout mar exercise

•PDP crisis responsible -Jonathan •Election peaceful, orderly - Dickson •ACN member shot dead on election eve

President Goodluck Jonathan has blamed the low turn-out of voters in yesterday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State on the controversy that surrounded the emergence of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP].

While acknowledging the low turn-out, he noted that uncertainty had trailed the election following unconfirmed media reports that a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo had granted the prayers of one of the participants, Chief Kenneth Gbalikumo of the African Renaissance Party (ARP).

Okorowo clarified on Friday that he did not give an order stopping the election from going ahead, saying he merely gave order of service on the necessary parties to the suit in which Gbalikumo sought to stop the election on the grounds that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to comply with relevant sections of the Electoral Act 2010 as regards the time of notice for election.