The Anambra State local government elections have recorded low voter turnout in parts of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi, despite the early arrival of electoral materials at some polling centres.
Correspondents monitoring the exercise observed election officials of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, voters and security personnel at various polling units across the three major cities.
In Awka, the state capital, voter turnout was relatively low in some polling centres visited, with residents going about their normal activities while accreditation and voting continued.
A similar situation was observed in Onitsha, where several polling units recorded only a handful of voters during the early hours of the exercise.
At Egbuna Adazi Street and School Road in Odoakpu, some shops remained open, while commercial and vehicular activities continued. Some youths were also seen engaging in football as voting progressed.
In Nnewi, another major commercial and industrial centre, correspondents also observed low voter turnout at some polling locations.
Despite the low participation, the electoral process proceeded peacefully in several areas visited, with no major security breach reported as of the time of filing this report.
The absence of movement restrictions ahead of the election allowed residents to continue with their normal activities across the state.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has assured residents of adequate security throughout the electoral process.
The Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, gave the assurance while leading security monitoring patrols across the state.
Ama visited the ANSIEC office in Awka before proceeding to the Onitsha Expressway, Otuocha axis in Anambra East Local Government Area, Onitsha and other strategic locations.
He said the patrols were aimed at assessing the security situation, monitoring personnel deployment and ensuring a peaceful and orderly election.
The Commissioner urged residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and security-conscious throughout the exercise.
Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election.
The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, who conducted an on-the-spot assessment of security deployment at various polling units, commended voters, electoral officials and security personnel for their orderly conduct.
Olatunde said the election remained peaceful, with no security breach recorded in the areas visited.
As voting continues, security agencies and electoral officials have maintained their presence across the state, while residents are expected to exercise their civic rights peacefully and responsibly.
