By Dayo Johnson

Akure—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday expressed concern over incessant electoral violence during elections in the oil rich communities of Ondo State.

Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Olusegun Agbaje, said in Akure while presenting certificates of return to winners of the National Assembly election in the state that only 35 percent of voters voted during last Saturday’s House of Assembly election in the state.

He condemned electoral malpractices such as snatching of electoral materials and election results that characterised the elections conducted in the parts of the state.

The Commissioner lamented that Ilaje Local Government Area had become notorious for violence and electoral malpractices.

Agbaje, therefore, urged the people of the area to turn over a new leaf and allow elections to be conducted without violence.

He however expressed disappointment over the low turnout of voters during the last elections.

According to him,  only 35 percent of people who collected their permanent voter cards, PVCs, came out to participate in the election unlike during the presidential and National Assembly polls when 55 percent came out to vote.

Agbaje said the Commission was disappointed by the turnout, especially when the amount of money spent on materials and enlightenment campaigns was considered.

He therefore urged traditional and community leaders to educate their people on the importance of voting during elections.

The   INEC Zonal National Commissioner in charge of Ondo and Osun states, Prof. Akinola Salau pledged that the electoral umpire would build on the credibility earned during the last election.

Salau advised politicians to change their attitude to electoral contests in order to deepen the nation’s democracy.