No Face Mask, No Voting As Lagos Witness Voter Apathy In LG Elections

No Face Mask, No Voting As Lagos Witness Voter Apathy In LG Elections.

Maskedless voters at the Okerube Ward B Polling Unit were sent back to get their face masks before being accredited to vote in the Local Government Council election in Lagos.

 

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), had made the wearing of face mask a mandatory condition for voters seeking to exercise their rights to vote.

 

The face mask is used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

If not that I just want to vote, I would have just gone back. I don’t like the fact that I must buy something against my wish.

 

“Walking back home is not an option because my place is far from here,” she said.

 

An electoral officer, who preferred anonymity, said that there was enough publicity about the need for voters to come with their face masks.

 

“This is typical Nigerians’ attitude. They don’t pay attention. By now, we all should be used to using this face mask all the time.

“Imagine if there are no security agents around, some of them will insist that we must allow them to vote without it,” she said.

 

Malam Abdurasak Isah, who has a kiosk nearby, told NAN that business was booming with many people rushing to buy face masks.

 

“I will soon run out of stock. If I knew there will be high demand, I would have bought plenty, but I am glad I made sales. I have had these nose masks for months now.

 

“I am enjoying the patronage,” he said.

 

Turnout has been slow, with many Lagos residents going about their normal activities unperturbed.

 

One such resident, Mrs Olaseni Idowu, a food vendor, said that she cooked so that electoral officers won’t get hungry while working.

Meanwhile Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu voted at his polling unit 019, ward 09, Ikoyi on Saturday, saying the Local Government poll in the state has been peaceful so far.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu voted at his polling unit 019, ward 09, Ikoyi on Saturday, saying the Local Government poll in the state has been peaceful so far.