The ongoing constituency elections to fill vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly have recorded low voter turnout in many areas of Ahoada East and Khana local government areas.
The elections, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, are taking place in Ahoada East Constituency 2 and Khana Constituency 2.
Voting was ongoing in Khana LGA as of midday. At 12 p.m., elections had commenced around 10 a.m. at Lueku Ward 3, Units 3, 6 and 7, with some electorates casting their votes.
Voting is ongoing in Ahoada East constituency 2, Unit 16, ward 5, despite an initial low turnout.
In Ula-Apata community, Ahoada East LGA, voting at Units 1 and 3 also started around 10 a.m. However, only a few voters were seen in queues, while many residents went about their normal activities despite the restriction on movement. The area remained calm.
Business and other activities were observed to be ongoing, as the restriction on human and vehicular movement did not appear watertight.
Regarding the low turnout in Ahoada East, it was gathered that many residents are Sabbatarians. A resident said most voters were expected to begin trooping out from 1 p.m.
According to INEC records, elections in Ahoada East are being conducted across six registration areas, while Khana has eight registration areas, making a total of 14. Ahoada East has 87 polling units, while Khana has 155, bringing the total to 242 polling units.
INEC data shows that Ahoada East has 41,085 registered voters, while Khana has 71,865, totalling 112,950 registered voters across both constituencies.
On security, policemen and civil defence operatives were deployed in several areas across the two constituencies.
The PUNCH