Voters across Akwanga and Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Areas in Nasarawa State have praised the peaceful conduct of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election, describing the process as orderly and hitch-free.
Voting and accreditation began around 8:30 a.m. in most polling units visited, following the timely arrival and distribution of electoral materials.
Observations from polling centres showed a calm environment, with security personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Immigration Service and other agencies deployed to maintain order throughout the exercise.
Some of the polling units monitored included LGEA Primary School Ezhiba, Grade One Area Court Akpata, Government Technical College (GTC) OLA, Kuje Anyi Mission, Angwan Mission Polling Unit, Ubbe Primary School Polling Units, and Angwan Tsaku Atsoko Polling Unit in Nassarawa-Eggon LGA.
Others were Police Station Polling Units 1 and 2, as well as Cooperative Polling Unit in Akwanga Local Government Area.
A former Overseer of Akun Area Administrative Council, Mr Moses Malle, who voted at LGEA Primary School Ogba Polling Unit, described the process as peaceful and well-organised.
“As you can see, the election here is peaceful and there is no problem for now. Voters are on queue to vote candidates of their choice. That is democracy,” he said.
Malle also commended the security agencies for maintaining peace and ensuring a smooth exercise.
Similarly, Mrs Grace Adamu, who voted at Grade One Area Court Akpata Polling Unit, praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the early deployment of materials.
She also lauded the conduct of security personnel and voters for maintaining order during the exercise.
Another voter, Mr Anzaku Bulus, who cast his ballot at LGEA Primary School Ezhiba Polling Unit, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful atmosphere.
“We thank God that this election is going on peacefully,” he said.
However, some voters at Cooperative Polling Unit in Akwanga, LGEA Primary School Ezhiba and Angwan Tsaku Atsoko Polling Unit reported challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which slowed the voting process in some areas.
There was also generally low voter turnout recorded in several polling units visited at the time of filing this report.