RismadarVoice Reporters
September 26, 2026
The Enugu State local government election recorded low voter turnout on Saturday, with some residents blaming inadequate awareness and their experiences with previous elections for the apathy.
The election, conducted by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, took place across the state’s 17 local government areas, with voters electing chairmen and councillors for the 260 electoral wards.
At some polling units visited in Trans-Ekulu and parts of New Haven in Enugu metropolis, only a small number of voters were seen casting their ballots.
Polling units in Achara Layout and Awkunanaw also experienced delays in the arrival of electoral materials, leaving some voters and security personnel waiting for voting to commence.
At Igbariam Primary School, some youths were seen playing football while awaiting the arrival of election materials.
The low participation came despite appeals by ENSIEC and political parties encouraging eligible residents to participate in the exercise.
Ahead of the election, ENSIEC Chairman Prof. Christian Ngwu had urged residents to turn out and vote, assuring them that security arrangements had been made to protect voters, officials and electoral materials.
Some residents, however, attributed their decision not to participate to a lack of confidence in the electoral process.
One resident, Raphael Nnamani, said he deliberately stayed away because he did not believe his vote would influence the outcome.
Another resident, Margaret Ozioko, said she was unaware that the election was taking place and also expressed doubts about whether participating would make a difference.
Civil servant Peter Eze attributed the low turnout to inadequate public awareness and previous election experiences, while another resident, Fabian Ugwu, questioned the competitiveness of the exercise.
The comments represent the individual views of the residents and do not independently establish that the outcome of the election had been predetermined.
Authorities had imposed restrictions on movement during the election to facilitate the conduct of the poll and maintain security across the state.
Residents who spoke about the turnout called on electoral authorities and political leaders to strengthen public confidence and encourage greater participation in future local government elections.
Collation was continuing across the state on Saturday, with official results expected to be announced by ENSIEC.
