The Enugu North Senatorial by-election in Enugu State commenced peacefully on Saturday, but was marked by low voter turnout across several polling units in the six local government areas of the district.
The exercise, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), saw the early arrival of electoral materials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at various collation centres, with voting beginning around 9:00 a.m. in some locations despite minor delays in difficult terrain areas.
At Amaechenu Polling Unit in Nsukka LGA, INEC officials confirmed that the process started early with party agents and voters inspecting materials before commencement. However, voter participation remained noticeably low.
Similarly, in Ogbodu Aba community in Udenu LGA, voting began around 10:00 a.m. and proceeded peacefully, with community leaders and voters describing the exercise as smooth and orderly.
Several stakeholders, including local government officials and party representatives from the APC and PDP, commended INEC for timely deployment of materials and the overall peaceful conduct of the poll.
Security presence was observed across polling units, with accreditation and voting proceeding without reports of violence.
Despite the calm atmosphere, voter turnout remained weak in many areas, even as some markets and businesses partially opened while others complied with the electoral process closure.
The by-election was conducted to fill the vacant seat left by the late Senator Okechukwu Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District until his death in November 2025.
Five political parties, including the APC, PDP, Labour Party, NDC, and Boot Party, participated in the contest.
