Voters in Anambra State, South East Nigeria went to the polls this Saturday to elect local government officials, ten years after the last exercise.
The elections held for the 21 Council chairmanship positions and 326 Councillors witnessed late arrival of election materials and officials at polling centres.
The popular Eke Nibo market was bustling in its usual business life during the hours of the election, with many expressing unwillingness to go and perform their expected civic duties, blaming this on the current harsh economic situations and loss of confidence in the country’s electoral processes.
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Voting materials were yet to leave the premises of the Onitsha North local government Secretariat at 10:00 in the morning when AIT visited. The situation was even worse at Idemili North Local Government Secretariat where at about 11:00am the election materials were still in the premises, resulting in a late commencement of voting in the affected Council Areas.
But, the situation was different at some polling centers in Aguata and Awka South Council Areas where elections started early, but were marred by voter apathy.
Despite the observed logistics challenges and voter apathy, the overall exercise remained largely peaceful.
Police and other security personnel were spotted at polling areas and other strategic locations across the State, ensuring order and preventing any possible crisis.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
