Voter apathy and low turnout on Saturday, marred the House of Assembly by-election for the Onitsha North 1 constituency in Anambra State.
This was despite the early arrival of electoral materials at various polling units across the constituency.
Electoral officials confirmed that materials arrived at Polling Unit 017, Ward 3, by Uba Road, and Polling Unit 016, Ward 3, Awka Road, as early as 8 a.m.
Advertisement
Similar reports came from polling stations at Agba Street, Orakuwe, and Ugwuta Road, but turnout remained poor as voters shunned the exercise.
At most polling stations, voters arrived one after another, allowing them to get accredited and cast their ballots almost immediately.
The bye-election was held to fill the vacant position in the state House of Assembly following the death of Justice Azuka, who was kidnapped and later killed.
Candidates from the Labour Party, APC, YPP, ADP, and APGA contested the seat.
Speaking to journalists, the Presiding Officer in Ward 3, Ngozi Ugwuegbu, said, “Electoral materials arrived as early as about 8 a.m. As voters are coming, they are accredited and they are voting.
“The process is seamless, we have no issues with network failures and all machines are working perfectly.”
An APGA party agent, Sylvester Mozie, confirmed the smooth process, noting, “There is no case of any violence or card failure on the part of INEC.”
A voter, Uchenna Emerie, expressed satisfaction after casting his vote. “I am excited that I was able to vote seamlessly without any stress,” he said.
Another voter, Mrs. Amaka Nwosu, however lamented the low turnout, saying, “Many people around here don’t even know there is an election today.
“ I had to call my neighbors to remind them, but most of them refused to come out.”
A Labour Party agent at Ward 2, Kingsley Eze, also urged residents to participate, stating, “This is our chance to elect who represents us.
“We can’t continue to complain about government and then refuse to vote.”
Despite low turnout, security presence across Onitsha North 1 ensured the exercise was peaceful and hitch-free.
“A police officer on duty at one polling unit remarked, “We are here to make sure voters are safe. So far, there has been no incident of violence.”
