*Tight security, low turnout

By our reporters

There was strong security presence in  Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as voters cast their votes for candidates of their choice in the Council  chairmanship and councillorship polls.

At the Garki Area 10 headquarters of the FCT INEC, there was massive security presence as Sunday Vanguard counted up to 10 pick-up patrol vans loaded with stern looking police officers made up of counter-terrorism officer, MOPOL and  anti-bomb units providing heavy security into and out of the commission’s office.

The FCT Commissioner of Police in charge of the elections, CP Foluso Adabanjo, who monitored the polls and security arrangement, warned politicians to play by the rules.

At the Garki Model Market, over 2,000 voters had registered and cast their votes by 12 noon when Sunday Vanguard visited the polling station located there. Ditto  for the Area 7 traffic junction interception where several voters heaved a sigh of relief about the new INEC system of accreditation and voting simultaneously.

A drive round the Abuja city center, however, showed that the turnout was relatively low but peaceful as many prospective voters preferred to drive their cars to filling stations to queue  for petrol rather than vote. The presence of officers of the police, Civil Defence Corps and the Road Safety Corps was highly visible.