Low turnout of voters, on Saturday, characterised the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections.

As at 1.10 p.m., many of the polling units in Edo Central, Esan West and Ovia had not too many voters.

A by-election is being held in Esan Central to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Sen. Monday Okpebholo as governor of Edo, while the Ovia by-election is to replace Dennis Idahosa, who is now the deputy governor of the state.

In Iruekpen Ward 6, Unit 3, 4 and 5 and in Ujemen Ward 5, in units 8,9 and 10 in Esan West Local Government, low voter turnout was observed.

The lawmaker representing Esan West Federal Constituency, Marcus Onobu, said the low turnout might be due to low awareness of the by-election.

Onobu, who was the former speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, was optimistic that voters would come in later and cast their votes.

“I’m sure as the day goes by, there will be large turnout of voters. Many may have gone out to attend to urgent matters but there will be a large turnout before voting ends by 2.30 p.m.,” Onobu said.

A visit to some polling units in Ovia North East Local Government showed that electoral materials arrived at a good time and voting opened at 8:30 a.m.

For instance, in units 02, 03 and 04 of Oluku Ward 6, which are domiciled in Eroseyen Primary School, Samuel Asuelimen, agent of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) acknowledged the early arrival of materials.

Mr Asuelimen said the voter apathy was observable, but believed that voters might come out later since voting would end by 2.30 p.m.

“Everything is in order for now. The materials arrived early and voting commenced on time.

“However, there is a low turnout, but I still believe people would come out since voting will end by 2.30 p.m.

Halimat Ali, polling agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also agreed with the position of the ADC agent that the situation was calm and orderly.

Other units visited included units 07, 30 and 31 at Owina Primary School in Oluku Ward 6, where the situation on voters’ turnout remained the same.

In Ekiadolor, residents defied the restriction of movement order by the police to engage in commercial activities.

Ekiadolor market was filled to the brim with traders transacting, despite the ongoing civic exercise.

Isaac Aganmwonyi, the APC supervisor at units 4 and 5 in Adolor Primary School, Ekiadolor Ward 4, said the apathy might be because the election was not a general election.

“The turnout might have been more if it were the usual general election.

“Another reason might be Saturday. Most people in this area go to the market and farms on Saturday. However, some of them promised to come before the close of the poll.”

Solomon Odewingie, APC supervisor a Unit 22, Ekiadolor Ward 4, said voters had been coming and leaving immediately.

“The situation is calm and cool and people have been coming to vote and leave.

“I want to assure you that we will get not less than 400 votes here at the end of the day,” he said.

(NAN)