By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Voter apathy has trailed the Saturday House of Assembly election in Anambra’ state.
Simultaneous accreditation and voting started at about 8:43 am, though with low turnout of voters unlike the huge number of voters who voted during the last Presidential/National Assembly election held on February 25th 2023 polls
The conduct of the House of Assembly election into the 30 state constituencies across the 21 local government areas of Anambra’ state however, commenced amid peaceful process
The Staff of INEC and election materials arrived at about 7:30am at the Agu Awka ward 1, polling unit 008 and ward 2 polling unit 009 Aroma in Awka the state capital.
Other areas visited include Saint Matthew Catholic Church Amawbia with three units, Community Primary School and Adabebe polling units and parts of Umueri, Ezi Awka Primary School.
Some of the voters at some of the polling units were seen seated under canopies provided as shelter from the scotching sun at designated areas.
Armed, plain clothed security operatives of the state command were spotted at various voting centers to ensure law and order.
Checks shows that all markets, businesses, petrol stations, and motor parks remained closed although there was skeletal movement of vehicles and commercial tricycle operators contrary to the restriction order by the police in the state.
Some vehicles siezed and persons arrested by team of police on patrol round the capital town for defaulting the order on restriction of movement by the police.
Investigations revealed that most of the voters failed to come out to cast their votes because they are not happy with the outcome of the Presidential election held on February 25th which according to them did not reflect the wishes of the people.
Voter apathy recorded in Ondo, Ekiti, Osun as election commences
Some political parties have catched in on the voters disenchantment and discouragement by the past elections to mobilize their members to come and cast their votes for their parties.
One of the aggrieved voters Pastor Emeka Okolie said that people are not happy because INEC did not declare the rightful winner of the Presidential election rather they gave it to somebody who did not win.
“People are not happy: what is the need for you to vote. The last Presidential election, they did not declare the right who won the election as winner. What I am saying in effect is that INEC should take steps to declare the right person winner of the February 25th Presidential elections,” he said.
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