By-Election: Observers Forecast Low Voters Turnout

A non-profit Civic hub, Yiaga Africa has forecasted that there will be a low turnout of voters at the By-election billed to commence today (Saturday).

Making this forecast via its official Twitter handle, Yiaga explained that the low turnout of voters will be as a result of lack of interest on the side of the voters.

READ ALSO: By-Election: 3.9 Million Voters To Determine Outcome Of 15 Vacant Seats

The Civic hub further pointed out low publicity by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and political parties as another reason why there will be a low turnout of voters at the by-election

"Yiaga Africa projects low voter turnout for today's Bye-Elections, owing to diminishing public interest in the process and low voter-education, voter mobilization, and publicity by INEC, political parties, and electoral stakeholders in the respective states," it tweeted.

Recall that AllNews earlier reported that about 3,993,272 million voters will vote at the By-election to fill 15 vacant seats across 11 states of the Federation on Saturday, 5th of November 2020.

In the report, AllNews further disclosed that the By-Election which will take at 5,856 polling units across 11 states to fill elective legislative seats made vacant as a result of the demise of the former occupant of the position or court verdict.

While preparation for the commencement of the election is ongoing, AllNews recall that the Nigerian police yesterday (Friday) announced the restriction of movement in the areas where the election will be taking place in Lagos.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the restriction of movement would be between 6 am and 6 pm on Saturday.

He explained that the move is to ensure free, fair, and credible poll into the Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe 11 Constituency.

He said, "In a bid to have free, fair and credible bye-elections into the Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe 11 Constituency, Lagos State House of Assembly seats, the Lagos State Police Command has declared restriction of movement between 6 am and 6 pm on Saturday, 5th December 2020.

"The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, made the declaration today Thursday 3rd December 2020 while deliberating on the strategies put in place with the election monitoring officers deployed from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, to assist and monitor the elections in Lagos State.

"The election monitoring team, which comprises two Commissioners of Police, some Assistant Commissioners of Police and other officers, led by the Commissioner of Police,  Community Policing, Force Headquarters, CP Kola Okunola, reported to Lagos State Command today 3rd December 2020, in preparation for the deployment and monitoring of police personnel and other security agents detailed for the election duties.

"The Command has deployed a reasonable number of police personnel and other security agents to cover and provide security at the one thousand, nine hundred and twenty-eight (1,928) polling units in the areas.

"The Commissioner of Police reiterated that there will not be both vehicular and pedestrian movement in and out of the affected Local Government Areas during the elections, except those on election duties, essential services and accredited domestic and foreign election observers.

"The affected Local Government Areas for the two legislative seats include Epe, Ibeju Lekki,  Kosofe and Somolu.

"The Police Boss warned the electorate and political gladiators to play the game according to the rules and provisions of the Electoral Acts 2010. He also warned that no police aides or security agents will be allowed to escort their principals or any Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to polling units or on any movement while the elections last, noting that any security aides violating this directive will be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law."