'Your participation is crucial for shaping the future of your community'

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Voter turnout was conspicuously low at many polling stations in Kalaki district in Wednesday's election of Local Council III (LC3) chairpersons.

This was despite the deployment of Biometric Voter Verification Kits (BVVKs) for the polls.

For instance, several polling stations in Otuboi town council registered a sluggish start to the voting process.

At Otuboi Township Primary School A–A polling station, which has 395 registered voters, only eight people had voted by 9:15 am.

Similarly, at Otuboi Catholic Church polling station, which has 147 registered voters, only six voters had voted by 9:40 am.

The elections are taking place across all 10 sub-counties in Kalaki district: Anyara, Ogwolo, Apapai, Otuboi, Kakure, Kalaki, Ocelakur, Bululu, Kalaki town council, and Otuboi town council, covering a total of 151 polling stations and 66,839 registered voters.

'Your participation is crucial'

Vivian Justine Emechu, the presiding officer at Otuboi Township Primary School B–Z polling station, had earlier expressed optimism that the BVVK machines would streamline the voting process, reduce waiting times, and encourage greater participation.

However, the slow turnout has since raised concerns about voter apathy and possible disengagement from the electoral process.

At Otuboi Catholic Church polling station, presiding officer Barbra Amunyo delivered clarion call to residents to turn up in greater numbers.

“We encourage all eligible voters to come and exercise their right to vote. Your participation is crucial for shaping the future of your community,” she said.

As voting continued throughout the district, officials hoped the turnout would improve in the course of the day.

The Electoral Commission has not yet issued an official statement regarding turnout levels.