For the fourth time since the Court of Appeal nullified the original election held in March 2023 and ordered a rerun, the Enugu South Urban State Constituency in the State House of Assembly has once again ended in disappointment, as no voting took place on Saturday despite earlier assurances by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Voters and party agents who arrived early at the designated polling units were left frustrated as critical sensitive election materials failed to arrive.
Although INEC’s ad-hoc staff, mostly comprised of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were present at the venue alongside ballot boxes and voting cubicles, key sensitive materials such as ballot papers and result sheets were conspicuously missing.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) assigned to oversee the election reportedly visited the polling centre briefly in the morning but left without addressing any stakeholders or explaining the situation.
By 4pm, the NYSC ad-hoc staff had packed up and exited the premises, confirming that the exercise would not proceed.
No official statement had been issued by INEC as at the time of filing this report.
A party agent who spoke to DAILY GAZETTE on the condition of anonymity described the situation as a “deliberate sabotage” and an attempt to disenfranchise the people of Enugu South.
“How do you explain that ballot boxes and cubicles were brought, INEC staff were present, but the ballot papers never arrived? “This looks more like a script.” he said.
Results before the rerun showed Labour Party candidate, Barr. Bright Ngene, leading PDP’s Hon. Sam Ngene by over 3,000 votes.
It remains unclear when or if a new date will be announced for the rerun election.
