New Democrat (Monrovia)
11 November 2009
Voters Tuesday massively shun the Montserrado County senatorial by-election polls, sending clear signals of disenchantment with the political process and elected politicians with implications for the crucial 2011 presidential and legislative elections.
The turnout was overwhelmingly low at all polling centeres, including Careysburg, the hometown of the ruling Unity Party's candidate Clemenceau Urey, where some observers put the number of number of voters at 25.
Reports say former Maritime Commissioner Mr. Benoni Urey, a family member of the candidate and the appointed mayor of the township, was spotted using his vehicle to ferry voters to polling stations.
In the densely populated township of Branersville, about 50 voters were counted during the initial hours of the polls.
At the sprawling shantytown Doe Community, a ballot box arrived stuffed with 500 marked ballots. Party representatives and police were notified and the box was disqualified.
In Brewerville, up till 2 pm, polling officers said they had registered 5 voters out of an estimated 150. Presiding Officer James Dorkor, said the fact that the area was once an IDP camp could be a factor for the low turout. But the same problem was encountered I surrounding areas.
Many other polling centers in the County, including those in central Monrovia, reported very low turnouts, with elections workers morning over their elections materials in despair.
Despite the declaration of a countywide holiday to afford people the opportunity to cast their ballots, several markers, drinking spots and other public places were seen in operation.
The cumbersome voting process, marred by hitches in procedures, also turned many voters unable to comprehend the complexities away.
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