By Jimitota Onoyume

Various factors are going to determine the way voters vote on Saturday for the candidates for the federal and state legislative offices. The two major contending political parties, Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress, APC apparently conscious of this are inclining themselves towards fitting in with the voting culture of the electorate.

While some die hard party faithfuls said they would not vote across party lines, some party members and others not belonging to any political party said several factors outside party sentiment will guide them in casting their votes.

Among the factors that will determine how the public vote are the good value of the candidates, party affinity, money, ethnic solidarity and accessibility of the candidates.

Party affinity

Frank, a member of one of the two political parties from Port Harcourt local government area said he was not convinced that the choice of his party for the senatorial election could effectively represent the district but as a party man he would sink or celebrate with his party. Simply put, he would not vote against the candidate fielded by his party. He is not alone in this as there are many other party members who confided in the Vanguard that if they had their way they would have preferred a different candidate for the party but nevertheless they would never vote against their parties.

Ethnic Solidarity

Within the two contending political parties there are those who have expressed ethnic sentiments as what will guide their choice for the various seats. For instance at the senatorial level some said they would prefer their own tribes man. The state is largely divided between the Upland and Riverine areas.

Some members of the two parties say they would prefer their kinsmen to represent them. In that circumstance voters would incline themselves towards candidates of their own ethnic affiliation.

Accessibility/Openness of candidates

Accessibility is another critical factor some voters have said will guide their choice on Election Day. Most of the candidates in the race are not new to public office. Some voters claim that they would vote according to how accessible the candidates were to them the last time they were in public office.

“For me, I am going to vote for the candidates I can access to. Democracy for me is how it affects you as an individual. It is no use voting a leader you cannot reach after the elections. We know all of them. Whether APC, PDP it has been the same people, so we know ourselves very well”, Opaka Eze, a Port Harcourt resident told Vanguard.

A female member of one of the parties, Ngozi said she would vote for a candidate she can approach to assist her financially after the elections.

Capability

For Alozie, a resident of the Diobu area of Port Harcourt, he said he would vote for those who can do the job. “I am a passive member of one of the political parties. But I will go out there on Election Day to vote for the candidate I know can do the job. We know all of them,“ he said.

Votes for sale

Some youths, however, confessed that their votes were for the highest bidder, stressing that it was the only benefit they stood to gain from the electoral process. We don’t believe all these campaign promises. We are familiar with politicians in our country. So they should bring the stuff on that election day because our PVC is for sale”, Emeka, a resident in Woji area of Port Harcourt said.