Heavy security presence scare away voters in Enugu

By Tony Edike

ENUGU – Heavy presence of security men especially soldiers in many villages and communities in Enugu State scared voters from participating in Tuesday’s elections.

This led to voter apathy in most local government areas but the election was generally peaceful in the state.

However, three persons identified as Labour Party polling agents were arrested by the police  at Alor Agu village in Nsukka South local government  area for allegedly perpetuating violence in the area.

Security men deployed to the area declined comment on the offense allegedly committed by the party agents who drove to the place in a bus.

But the Labour Party Governorship candidate, Chief Okey Ezea, said that the three arrested party agents were in Alor Agu  to represent the party at the polling booths.

He said that on arrival at the village, some Peoples Democratic Party  thugs chased them away and when they refused to quit, they were beaten up and seriously wounded.

Ezea who said that the incident was reported to security agencies, told reporters that nothing was done to arrest those behind the attack on his agents.

Although he praised  INEC for doing a good job in  Tuesday’s election, the Labour Party guber candidate alleged that  there were rampant cases of ballot box stuffing and multiple voting in parts of the state.

Chairman of Igboeze South Council, Mr. Chris Omeje said the arrested persons were political thugs loyal to Labour Party, adding that they invaded the village to cause mayhem.