Breaking: Voter Apathy Hits Anambra Governorship Election as Residents Stay Indoors
- As the Anambra state gubernatorial election gets underway, low voters turnout has been observed in parts of the state
- Though the election has commenced, Legit.ng noticed that some of polling units are yet to see voters as of 9:20 am
- A total of 18 parties are taking part in the elections although poltical analyts say it is a straight contest between APGA, PDP and APC
Awka - Voters have largely stayed away from polling units in the ongoing Anambra governorship election so far.
In about seven polling units in different wards visited by a Legit.ng reporter in Awka South local government area, voters were not seen in the units as of 9:20 am.
Source: UGC
A NYSC Corps member serving as an adhoc official in one of the polling units in Aroma told Legit.ng:
''This is after 9 and we have not seen anyone so far. People are not coming out at all."
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In some cases, some of the election officials and materials are yet to arrive. Anambraians have largely stayed indoors in the days leading to the election due to the heightened insecurity in the state in recent times.
Despite assurances from security agencies, the people have remained indoors due to fear. There is also heavy security presence in all the areas visited with armed policemen and soldiers stationed in strategic areas close to the polling units.
Voting commences amid tight security in Anambra election
According to an earlier report by Legit.ng, voting exercise commenced in most parts of Awka, the Anambra state capital with the heavy presence of security personnel in the area.
It was reported that security officials have also commenced checks on every person and vehicle crossing in most parts of the state capital, asking them to show their voters' cards before granting them passage.
In one of the polling units in Okpuno Awka, less than a hundred people were seen at the polling unit which has over a thousand registered voters.
Anambra election: Surprises as aged persons shun fears, vote for their candidates
Meanwhile, the ongoing governorship election in Anambra state has continued to spring some surprises contrary to the belief in some quarters that the poll may not hold as planned.
Legit.ng reports that people came out to exercise their franchise as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
Some old men and women who are between the age of 70 and 80 were sighted by Legit.ng crew at different polling unit areas of the state checking their names on the list before casting their ballot for their preferred candidates.
Source: Legit.ng
Jerrywright Ukwu Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.
Oluwatobi Bolashodun Oluwatobi Bolashodun is a journalist with six years of working experience in the media industry. She graduated from Babcock University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication. Oluwatobi is a former Legit.ng Current Affairs Editor, mostly writing on political, educational, and business topics.
