Several political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Labour Party (LP), raised strong objections during the Enugu State local government elections on Saturday, September 21, 2024, due to the absence of result sheets at various polling units.
The protest began when officials from the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) arrived late at polling stations, with some arriving at 9:40 a.m., and without crucial documents like the result sheets. This created significant tension at polling stations across the state, particularly in Enugu South Council.
At polling units 001, 002, 003, 008, and 020 located at Christ Church, Enugu South Council, party agents from both the APC and LP refused to continue with the voting process until the result sheets were made available. According to one Labour Party agent, who preferred to remain anonymous, while some election materials were provided, “ENSIEC provided other materials, but the result sheets were missing.”
The agent further added that the Supervisory Presiding Officer had informed them that she was in possession of the result sheets but would only hand them over later in the day for the Presiding Officer to enter the voting results. An APC agent confirmed the same issue, stating, “There will be no election without result sheets.”
APGA leaders also expressed frustration. The party’s Acting Chairman, Mr. Ekene Uzodimma, highlighted similar problems in Awgu Ward Nine. He revealed that by 11 a.m., many polling units in his ward had still not received any election materials, including result sheets.
Meanwhile, APGA’s Councillor for Trans-Ekulu Ward, Mr. Okeke Fidelis, confirmed that his entire ward had not received election materials by midday. Further complaints were made by APGA’s Collation Agent, Uche, who claimed he was barred from entering the Enugu North Council Area, where only agents from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were allowed.
In Udi Council Area, APGA’s Chairmanship candidate, Mr. Chukwuemeka Ochi, reported that several polling units had yet to receive their election materials, causing delays and confusion among voters and election officials alike.
As the election process continued, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that voter turnout was generally low in many polling units across Enugu South Council Area, a possible reflection of the disorganization and frustration caused by the missing result sheets and delayed election materials.
