From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
There was low turnout of voters in many polling centres in Ondo State during the presidential and National Assembly elections held on Saturday, just as a minor technical hitch was experienced in some centres.
It was gathered that the cashless policy of the federal government which prevented vote buying was responsible for the low turnout of voters
In many of the polling centres in Akure, Ondo and Ilaramokin most of the voters did not get to the polling centres until afternoon.
Also, a minor technical hitch was experienced by some voters including the state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu who was delayed for about 10 minutes before he was recognized by the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS).
Akeredolu who voted at ward 05, unit 06, ljebu Owo, his home town hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a successful job.
Speaking with journalists shortly after exercising his franchise, the Governor said he was not too impressed with the turn out of voters.
His words:”Probably, this initial hiccup applied to me only because several people have passed through this and they didn’t have much problem.
“And I believe that it was caused by the surging crowd, you know they had to clear the crowd, and at a point, they felt it was because I am wearing white, whichever one, the important thing is that at the end of the day, the BVAS machine captured me. That’s all. So, when there is some delay, we should expect it but I have cast my vote.
“Well, I am not too impressed yet with the turnout but I expect that many people will come out. But we need to be larger than this, I have always voted here. But I know that people are going to come out. We are more and it’s too early in the day now, since they know you come and vote and go. So everybody will come out at their own convenient time. Many people will still come and vote.
“But for me, INEC has displayed their Independence, I don’t see anything they are doing now. At least, at this polling booth, I don’t know what is happening in other places but they have been cautious. Those who are there, they are been cautious and I believe that is their Independence. For now, I don’t know what is happening in other place,” he added.