Low turnout as Plateau holds gov’ship, State Assembly polls

The governorship and State Assembly elections in Plateau State, on Saturday 18 March 2023, witnessed low turnout of voters in all the Local Government visited in the State.

According to our correspondent, in most of the polling units visited, only a few persons were seen trying to cast their votes.

In some areas and LGA electorial materials arrived early without a single person to cast vote.

Meanwhile, there was heavy deployment of security personnel at various polling units.

Security agents, including personnel of the Army, Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were stationed at various polling units and voting points.

Mamman Dauda, the Plateau Police Commissioner in-Charge of elections, told our correspondent, that the deployment was to ensure peaceful elections.

“The presence of the security personnel at election points is not to intimidate or scare voters, but to ensure that the process goes on peacefully and in an orderly manner,” he saidm

“The massive deployment of Police personnel to all the polling units and other strategic areas is to provide tight security before, during and after the election.”

He also said the Police had information that certain individuals and groups had concluded plans to disrupt peace in the State, especially during this period of election.

According to our correspondent, the polls were conducted peacefully in Mangu, Pankshin and Kanke LGAs.

On his part, Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau. who voted at Ajikamai in Shendam LGA, commended residents and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the elections so far.