The Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections on Saturday were marked by low voter turnout, despite early arrival of electoral materials and timely commencement of voting.
By early afternoon, many polling units in Esan West and Ovia North East recorded sparse participation. In Iruekpen and Ujemen wards of Esan West, only a handful of voters were seen, while in Oluku Ward 6, Ovia North East, officials confirmed that materials had arrived as early as 8:30 a.m. and voting commenced without delay.
Some stakeholders attributed the apathy to poor awareness and the nature of the election. Marcus Onobu, lawmaker representing Esan West Federal Constituency and former Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, suggested that residents may have been occupied with other engagements but expressed optimism that turnout could improve before polls closed.
Agents of political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), described the process as peaceful and orderly, though they acknowledged the low numbers.
In Ekiadolor, however, many residents defied movement restrictions to carry out commercial activities, with markets bustling despite the ongoing polls. Some party supervisors observed that the limited turnout may have been influenced by the fact that it was not a general election, as well as the tendency of residents to prioritize market and farm activities on Saturdays.
Despite the apathy, officials and party agents remained confident that more voters could still participate before the close of voting later in the day.
