Voting commenced peacefully in Saturday’s by-election at the Igbo-Ukwu 1 Polling Unit in Aguata Local Government Area for the Anambra South Senatorial District.
Voting began early after accreditation, following the arrival of materials at Ihua-Afor Ward III and Afaukwu College Ward II in Aguata LGA of the state.
Although electoral materials arrived on time at the various polling units visited, voter turnout was low as many residents stayed away from the exercise.
The by-election in the seven local government areas of the district was organised to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in 2024.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at the Igbo-Ukwu Polling Unit, the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Dominic Okafor, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.
Okafor noted that the atmosphere was charged, as people were eager to elect a new senator after almost a year of non-representation in the Senate.
He said:
“First and foremost, we pray for the repose of the soul of our former senator, Ifeanyi Ubah. As you can see, the atmosphere is charged, and the people are happy to elect a new senator after almost a year without representation.
“All the seven local government areas, all the wards and polling units, people are trooping out to vote because we are not happy about losing our representation at the Red Chamber, and that is why they are here to vote.”
He further expressed confidence that the outcome of the election would be peaceful, fair, and credible, with the people emerging as the ultimate winners.
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An 80-year-old voter, Madam Victoria Okeke, said materials arrived at her polling unit around 7:30 a.m., and she was impressed by the smooth process.
“Materials came early, about 7:30 a.m. I came, was accredited, and I have voted. It was good and smooth,” she said.
An INEC official, who declined to mention her name, described the process as seamless, noting that there were no network failures and all machines were “working perfectly.”
According to her, voters started arriving at the polling units as early as 7:00 a.m. and conducted themselves in an orderly manner. She added that elderly voters were attended to while some others searched for their names on the register under the watch of security personnel.
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