The ongoing Enugu North Senatorial District by-election experienced delays in several polling units on Saturday following the late arrival of electoral materials and shortages in election personnel.
At Amube Wards 1 and 2 located in Ohom Orba Community, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, voter accreditation had yet to commence as of 10:45 a.m. after election materials arrived only shortly before that time.
The delay disrupted the start of the electoral process and left many voters waiting at the affected polling units.
Speaking with journalists, the All Progressives Congress (APC) agent for Amube Ward 2, Christopher Ugwuowo, blamed the situation on the late distribution of electoral materials from the collation centre and logistical difficulties involving election officials.
According to him, party agents and election personnel encountered setbacks at the collation centre in Okpu Orba before the materials were eventually released for distribution to polling units.
“When we got to the collation centre at Okpu Orba, we discovered that the materials arrived late. The electoral workers were also not efficient enough to move immediately, while the absence of some corps members further contributed to the delay,” Ugwuowo said.
The delays raised concerns among voters and stakeholders about the smooth conduct of the by-election in the affected communities.
Election observers and other stakeholders have called on electoral authorities to address the logistical challenges quickly to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised and that the electoral process proceeds without further disruption.
The Enugu North Senatorial District by-election is being conducted to fill a vacant seat in the Senate, with voting taking place across the district under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
