As voting takes place across Lagos State in the ongoing Local Government (LG) elections, not every resident is heading to the polls — not because they don’t want to vote, but because they can’t.

In Ikosi-Isheri, a community in Kosofe Local Government Area, several residents expressed frustration over their exclusion from the electoral process, citing lack of voter cards and poor awareness about registration and collection dates.

Our correspondent, who visited a residential compound Saturday morning, found people going about their usual weekend activities. One woman, seen doing laundry, said she wasn’t even aware of when registration happened.

“I no know when dem do am, I for register,” she said in Pidgin English, explaining that she had never received information about the process.

Her situation wasn’t unique. Others in the compound said the same — they missed out on registration, didn’t know where or when to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or had lost theirs without knowing how to replace them.

“This LG election for good to vote, but I no get voter’s card. My own don loss,” said a resident who identified himself as “Oga Electrician”.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is currently overseeing the elections across all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The aim is to elect new chairmen and councillors to strengthen grassroots governance.

But in many parts of the state, the turnout has been disappointingly low, with signs of apathy and confusion. Some polling units started voting on time, while others experienced delays and logistical issues.