Voter Fraud And Low Participation Hurt The Race In Cross River
The majority of the polling places visited in the Cross River State capital of Calabar had widespread voter discrimination, vote buying, and other electoral irregularities in the upcoming 2023 governorship and state house assembly elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adhoc employees and the security operatives commenced their tasks early, according to The Guardian, and were fairly orderly and courteous in their approach to the voters.
Notwithstanding the almost complete absence of potential voters, INEC staff members and security officers were visible at the different voting places in Akim town’s Ward 1 units 001-005 at 7:50 a.m.
But, according to our reporter, the voting unit and other nearby units began registering a minor rise in the number of prospective voters a few minutes after he cast his ballot at the same unit at 9am.
It was also noted that certain party representatives were strategically approaching the majority of voters in other places, including as Ward 7, unit 5, Ikot Ishie, also in the Calabar Municipality, and offering to compensate them for voting for the various parties.
At Ward 4, unit 15 of the State Housing Estate in the Calabar Municipality, nothing had changed.
Voters did not show out in large numbers to meet the INEC staff who had arrived early for the procedure.
One of the voters, who only went by the name Agnes, said that the results of the last elections, which were conducted in February 2023, may not be unrelated to the widespread voter indifference.
She prayed that the will of the people would triumph, but she expressed pleasure with the exercise’s calm execution.
Although acknowledging that the process was peaceful, a different responder who only gave his name as Bamson urged INEC not to take the public’s confidence for granted this time.
To a doubt, the exercise today has been calm and orderly, but what really counts is that everyone has faith in the system.
“When we look at the results of the most recent elections, we see that there is peace, but it is an uncomfortable peace. I can’t help but hold out hope for a better result in today’s activity.
In comparison to the previous general elections that were conducted in the same location, voter indifference was relatively high in ward 7, unit 5.
Mr. Okon Ete, an observer in the unit, explained the predicament as being related to the results of the most recent elections while pointing out that there was still hope for his party.
“We are not shocked by the voter turnout in today’s election, but we are optimistic that our party will prevail. The majority of our followers choose not to vote because they were unhappy with the outcome of the most recent elections, he said.
The PDP representative at Voting Unit 012, Ward 6, Pst. Dominic Etim, also spoke, stating that “today’s turnout is not particularly promising compared to the Presidential election. Many are displeased because they believe their votes were not counted in the last election and they still think they won’t be counted this time.
