Heavy downpour has disrupted the ongoing senatorial bye-election in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State.
The rain started at about 3pm, and has trapped some eligible voters who are yet to vote and not within the voting locales.
“I was at my Ugwu Nkwo polling unit early, but voting materials hadn’t arrived then,” explains Charity, a resident of Nru in Nsukka LGA. “I then returned home. I wanted to rush back, but the rain started. I won’t go back again. Goodluck to whoever wins. I did my best.”
Monica Onah said the rain disrupted voting activities at her unit. “When it started, we moved to an enclosure, but already, our queue was disorganized. But the main thing that forced me to leave was to take care of my household. Our roof is leaking, and I should be home to avoid damage in my house.”
Meanwhile, a resident of Ibagwa in Igboeze South LGA, Chika Ojobo, has called for the extension of the exercise beyond Saturday to avoid disenfranchising eligible voters.
“Electoral materials did not arrive early at some units, especially in Udenu,” he explains. “With the tensity of this rain, the downpour will not end too soon. Many people haven’t voted. The best is to extend the voting time beyond today. The fault is partly from INEC for not commencing the voting as stipulated in its timetable.”
Meanwhile, the state police command says the exercise has been peaceful. The state Commissioner of Police, CP Bitrus Giwa, while touring the affected areas, said, “So far, the election process has remained peaceful and orderly, with no reported security breaches or significant complaints. Security agencies continue to maintain a strong presence across the senatorial district to ensure a safe, free, fair, and credible electoral process.”
THE WHISTLER reports that the bye-election followed the death of erstwhile Senator Okey Ezea past year.
(The Whistler)