Apathy mars Surulere federal constituency 1 bye-election as INEC assures uploading of results on IREV

The Residents Electoral Commissioner in Lagos, Abayomi Salami, has assured that the commission would upload the results of the bye-election in Surulere federal constituency 1, on Independent National Electoral Commission, Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

Salami gave the assurance while monitoring some polling units in Surulere Constituency 1 on Saturday.

He said “We will ensure to play by the rules and by the grace of God upload the results on IREV.

“So, far, I’m satisfied that this election is peaceful and smooth.”

Accreditation of voters and voting commenced in most polling units for the by-election in Surulere Federal constituency 1 for the vacant House of Representatives seat.

The House of Representatives seat became vacant after Femi Gbajabiamila was appointed the chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu shortly after winning a fifth term into the House.

It was observed that the accreditation and voting took place simultaneously in most of the polling units.

In most polling units, accreditation and voting started about 8:30am in the constituency.

However, low turnout of voters was seen in several of the polling units, while there was little restrictions of vehicular movement in the constituency.

There was complete restriction, but in some places in the constituency Commercial tricycle was seen in some of the roads carrying passengers and private cars was also seen.

In Ward 8, polling unit 032 in Adelabu street, voting commenced at about 8:25 am, while about eight people had voted at about 9:30 am.

Agents of the three major political parties were seen in the polling and they expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election so far.

“We are happy with the way it is going, there is no problem here as you can see”, an agent who spoke on the condition of anonymity said.

Also in Ward 8, polling unit 042, voting commenced at about 8:40am and few voters were seen waiting after casting their votes.

Some of the voters who spoke to BusinessDay, said they expected a peaceful exercise, urging INEC to conduct a free and fair poll.

Also commenting, an agent of Labour Party, LP, who simply identified himself as Chris Ogunmola, lamented over apathy, describing it as “poor turnout” so far, and pleaded with voters to come out and vote.

“The election is going well, but we can’t say what would happen in the next minute, but I’m hopeful of the chances of the LP. We did our best to mobilise, I plead with our people to come out and vote.

“It is only when people don’t come out that you give room for rigging and also sort of things,” he said.

Also, an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Elizabeth Samuel said she was stil monitoring the way the election was going and could not talk much.

“You can see we are still watching,” she said.

Motorists also shunned the restriction of movement as some daring commercial buses came out for business unmolested.

However, entries into Surulere were cordoned off by armed security personnel to ensure non officials drive into the voting areas.