Low voter turnout mars Lagos LGA election

An empty polling unit

Low voter turnout marred Saturday’s local government election in Lagos as multiple polling units reported sparse participation before polls closed at 3pm.

At PU 085, Ward F, located at Shoprite in Ikeja, only five voters had cast their ballots out of 62 registered as of 1:30 p.m. Voting had commenced earlier in the day but saw little enthusiasm from residents.

A similar trend was observed at PU 033, Ward E, covering Anthony, Ajao estate, Mende, and Maryland. At 1:20 p.m., turnout remained low despite voting starting around 9 a.m.

At PU 004, Ward B, beside the pension office in the barracks area of Ikeja, voting proceeded without disruption, but participation was still described as low.

In Onigbongbo LCDA, the story was not different. At PU 013, Lawal Junction, Kudirat Abiola Way, voting started at 9:30 a.m. However, by midday, fewer than 50 voters had turned out from a register of 803.

In Alimosho LGA, logistical issues also surfaced. At PU 009, located at 39 Ekoro junction in Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA, there was no official voter register for accreditation. LASIEC officials resorted to writing names manually on sheets of paper.

Although voting was generally peaceful across the polling units visited, the low turnout reflects the persistent voter apathy often associated with local government elections in the state.

This is the first LGA election in Lagos state since 2021. The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is conducting it across 20 local government areas (LGAs) and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs). Thecable