The by-election for the Onitsha North 1 State Constituency in Anambra State commenced on Saturday, with electoral materials arriving at polling units as early as 8 a.m. However, the exercise was largely marked by low voter turnout.
At Polling Units 016 and 017 in Ward 3, along Uba Road and Awka Road, as well as other locations including Agba Street, Orakuwe, and Ugwuta Road, INEC officials were on standby as voters trickled in sporadically. Despite a smooth voting process, the mood was subdued, with many residents opting to stay away from the polls.
The by-election was called following the tragic death of Justice Azuka, the former lawmaker representing Onitsha North 1, who was kidnapped and later killed. Candidates from the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), African Democratic Party (ADP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are contesting for the vacant seat.
Even with movement restrictions in place, some youths were seen playing football on quiet streets, and a few traders displayed goods along the roads, reflecting the widespread voter apathy.
Speaking to journalists, the Presiding Officer at Ward 3, Ngozi Ugwuegbu, confirmed that the election process was running smoothly. “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,” she said.
She added that voters present were orderly, with names checked in the register before voting. Sylvester Mozie, an APGA agent, also expressed satisfaction, noting that no violence or malfunction of INEC devices had occurred.
Security personnel were deployed across strategic points in Onitsha North to maintain peace, and reports from across the constituency indicated a hitch-free election.
