Abuja — Vote counting was under way in Nigeria on Sunday following local elections marred by reports of violence, bribery and signs of low turnout.
Saturday’s election for more than 900 state assembly lawmakers and 28 governors in Africa’s most populous country took place three weeks after the governing party won a presidential race that opposition groups said was rigged.
With President Muhammadu Buhari stepping down in May after two terms, many hoping for change were disappointed in the way the voting was conducted on February 25, a sentiment that could have affected the local contests.
Both the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming that technical mishaps allowed for ballot manipulation, which the electoral commission has denied.
After observing Saturday’s vote, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) noted in parts of the country “a sense of discouragement that due to the unfavourable outcome of the presidential election ‘there is no point’ of coming out to vote”.
However, another observer group, Yiaga Africa, recorded “a marked improvement in the management of election logistics” on Saturday.
Polling units mostly opened on time and biometric registration machines seemed “to largely be functioning adequately”, CDD said.
In the commercial capital Lagos, where the race for state governor is particularly competitive, some voters were optimistic about the election being free and fair.
“I am pleased with the counting so far… I hope INEC will do what is normal and declare the rightful candidate as the winner,” said nurse Bimpe Adepeju, 25, referring to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Source: AFP
Picture: Pexels
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
