Heavy security presence was observed on Saturday across major roads and polling units in Onitsha North Constituency 1, Anambra State, as residents voted in the by-election to fill vacant legislative seats.
Security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Army were deployed to strategic locations to ensure a peaceful process.
The election comes following the deaths of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and Mr. Justice Azuka. Ubah, who won his Senate seat in 2023 under the Young Progressives Party (YPP) before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Azuka, who represented Onitsha North Constituency 1 under the Labour Party (LP), left vacant positions now being contested.
Law enforcement officers were stationed in areas such as Agba Street, Orakuwe, Uguta Road, and across several polling units in Wards 3 and 4.
Speaking on the process, APGA party agent Mr. Sylvester Mozie described the election as smooth, noting there had been no reports of violence or technical hitches with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) equipment.
Similarly, presiding officer Ms. Ngozi Ugwuegbu confirmed that polling commenced on schedule at 8 a.m. and had so far been hitch-free.