The Saturday’s bye-election period for the Delta Central Senatorial Zone was extended for some hours following the late arrival of electoral personnel and voting materials at the polling centres.

CEOAFRICA gathered that voting should have commenced at noon after the accreditation of voters, but this was not the case because electoral personnel and voting materials did not get to the polling units until noon, forcing accreditation to begin late and voting to be delayed.

According to Mrs Tracy Eluemunor, the Electoral Officer at Otujeremi Ward 3, Ughelli South Local Government Area, officials were instructed by INEC to extend the time.

 Eluemunor said she was optimistic that all the voters in the ward would cast their votes following the time extension.

However, the situation resulted in poor turnout of voters as some had to leave the voting centres disappointed, since no official was present when they came. Though, the security situation in the areas covered was peaceful, except at Ewu, Ughelli South.

The by-election followed the death of Sen. Pius Eweridoh, who died in June 2013.