The local government elections conducted in Enugu on Wednesday witnessed low turnout and late arrival of materials in many parts of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who monitored the situation reports observed that the election was, however, peaceful.

At the Trans Ekulu primary and Secondary school in Enugu East with seven polling stations, the turnout was not up to 30 of 613 registered people as of 10:00 a.m.

At New Haven, Enugu, with eight polling stations, one of the presiding officers, Nkechi Aniebonam, said people did not come out unlike in other local government elections.

Accreditation began at Uwani in Enugu South Local Government amid the late arrival of election materials in some polling units.

The exercise is going on smoothly in the local government area, except at the Zik Avenue Primary School where election materials and officials are yet to arrive as at 10:30 a.m.

At polling units 003, 002, 001 and 020 all in Uwani River, the materials arrived at 9:00 a.m. while accreditation and voting had since begun.

Also, polling units 004, 005, 006 and 007 at Bigard Memorial Seminary (BMS), the accreditation and voting had commenced.

There was a presence of security men at each polling unit to maintain peace and order.

Meanwhile, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) party agent, Emeka Uzor, had alleged that materials provided for the election at BMS were not enough.

Out of the 18 polling units visited in wards seven and eight in Igbariam Primary School and Union Boys Secondary School respectively, security agents were spotted in only two units.

The turnout of voters was low as most polling units were without voters.

There were not much business activities going on around the voting areas as most shops were yet to open for business.

At Okpara Square polling units three, four, five, six, seven and eight in Enugu North LGA, materials arrived at 9:10 a.m. while accreditation and voting started by 10:00 a.m.

There were no result sheets in any of the polling units. The Presiding Officer in polling unit seven, Jessica Ibeneme, said that they were not given result sheets. There are security agencies.

The APGA agent, Kingsley Ezi, said he was boycotting the exercise due to the unavailability of card readers and result sheets.

At ward two in Enugu North LGA, located at Afia-Nine, Obiagu Road, voting commenced by 10:30 a.m. as ENSIEC officials arrived late at 9:50 a.m.

Voting was, however, ongoing without hitch and turnout impressive.

However, there is partial compliance to the restriction of movement, as some commercial buses are plying most routes within the metropolis without a law enforcement check.

The chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu North, Emeka Onuora expressed satisfaction with the exercise adding that turnout was impressive.

Ten political parties are contesting for the 17 Chairmanship Local Government and 260 wards of the state. 

(NAN)