Electoral Materials Arrive Early in Onitsha North, but Low Voter Turnout Dominates By-Election
In the heart of Anambra State, the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency by-election took place on Saturday, with a notable absence of voters. Despite the early arrival of electoral materials and a high security presence, voter apathy seemed to prevail, resulting in very few people coming out to cast their ballots.
The by-election was necessitated by the tragic death of Justice Azuka, the former lawmaker representing Onitsha North 1. Candidates from major political parties such as the Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Democratic Party (ADP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are contesting for the vacant seat. However, this did not seem to stimulate significant voter engagement.
As voters trickled in one after another, INEC officials found themselves waiting idly at polling units. A stark contrast was seen on the streets, where some youths were playing football on deserted roads, highlighting the lack of voter participation.
Despite the low turnout, the voting process was conducted without hitches, as confirmed by the Presiding Officer, Ngozi Ugwuegbu. Voters are being accredited and voting as they arrive, and voter names are being checked in the register before they are allowed to vote. Ugwuegbu also reported that the voting process is seamless with no network failures and all machines working perfectly.
The security presence was heavy across strategic points in Onitsha North to ensure peace, but it did not translate into higher voter participation. An APGA agent, Sylvester Mozie, expressed satisfaction with the process, noting that there had been no incident of violence or malfunction of INEC's devices. Reports from across the constituency indicated that the election is hitch-free.
Polling Units 016 and 017 in Ward 3, located along Uba Road and Awka Road, as well as other polling stations at Agba Street, Orakuwe, and Ugwuta Road, were part of the election. Ugwuegbu confirmed that the process had been running without hitches and that voters are conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
With the voting process underway, the hope remains that more voters will turn out to exercise their democratic right and fill the vacant seat in the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency.
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