Low voter turnout and delayed ballot materials affect Adamawa local government elections

The election to fill chairmanship positions in the 21 local government areas and councillorship seats in the 226 political wards of Adamawa State, held on Saturday, was marked by low voter turnout.

Reports also emerged of inadequate or missing electoral materials and alleged irregularities in some wards.

Despite these issues, the polling was largely peaceful, with no incidents of violence or crisis reported across the hundreds of wards.

Many observers gave the exercise a pass mark. The incumbent Chairman of Yola North Local Government Area, Hon. Jibril Jimeta, who voted in his Yelwa Ward, said that both turnout and the deployment of materials were tolerable.

Jimeta, who is seeking a second term, told journalists: “I agree that more people should have come out to vote, but even in general elections, voter apathy has long been a concern.”

The election was conducted by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC).

Commission chairman Alhaji Muhammed Umar confirmed in a news interview that there were reports of late or missing election materials in some areas, despite efforts to ensure timely distribution.

Umar, speaking shortly before noon on Saturday, assured that checks were underway to verify such allegations and correct any identified anomalies.