The people of Anambra trooped out today, November 18, 2017, to decide the future of their state for the next four years.
Amid tight security in and at the borders of the state, Anambra voters defied all odds including a threat by the Indigenous People of Biafra and exercised their civic rights.
The process however suffered logistic setbacks, especially at the start.
Restricted Vehicular Movement
The city of Awka woke up with hopes of a new dawn with roads deserted in line with the restriction of vehicular movement. The usual busy Bridge Head axis of Onitsha, for instance, was deserted as the police have earlier announced total closure Niger bridge beefing up security in preparation for the election. Residents around Eke Awka roundabout, in Awka, on their part, woke up to see the scene of an accident where a container fell off a truck and crushed a tricycle, an accident which occurred the previous day by 10:00 pm. Eyewitnesses said no one was hurt in the accident.
Late Arrival Of Materials
While some polling units received electoral materials as early as 7 am, it was a different tale for some other units. The Independent National Electoral Commission’s National Commissioner, Mr Solomon Soyebi, blamed the late arrival of electoral materials at several polling units on corps members. Soyebi told Channels Television in Anambra that some of the corps members did not have the right attitude towards the exercise and were hesitant to go to some areas.
Accreditation and voting eventually commenced in many polling units across the state between 9:30 am and 9:49 am. UPP Governorship candidate Osita Chidoka, who was accredited at 10:10 am, was unhappy with the delay in the arrival of electoral material.
Chief Victor Umeh who voted in Aguzigbo ward, Anambra central senatorial district, also condemned the logistic challenges faced initially, especially the failure of card readers in some units. Umeh called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to address the issue once and for all as card reader failure disenfranchises people.
Voting Amid Tight Security
Heavily armed security operatives were seen in many parts of the state and at polling units ensuring that the election was not disrupted. At the Community Primary School, Amawbia, in Awka, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS), were quick to arrest a man accused of electoral fraud.
The man was arrested for attempting to pay voters to vote for his candidate. He was released eventually after claiming that the cash that he had on him was meant for the payment of his party agents.
Defying The Heat And IPOB’s Threat
Despite the scorching heat, voters at Amawbia, Awka South LGA were resolute in their desire to vote. Many residents were determined about exercising their civic duties despite threats by the proscribed IPOB.
