EditorTHE Anambra state governorship election began on a slow pace on Saturday as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and eligible voters failed to turn up at designated polling units at the approved time.
The Commission had announced official commencement of voting in the various polling units by 8.00am.
But as at 8.45 am, several polling units were either without INEC officials or eligible voters.
The voting process which was monitored at Aroma junction, polling units 1,2,3, it was observed that no INEC official had arrived any of the centres as at 9am.
An eligible voter, Mr Peter Nwobu, who said he arrived as early as 8am, disclosed that he would not leave until he performs his constitutional rights.
“You can see that a good number of us are here and waiting for INEC officials . We believe they will come and that we will vote”, he said
At Udeozor primary school, Awka, which registered 2133 voters, INEC officials arrived by 9.20 am. There were only few voters as at the time.
At about 9.40 am however, voting commenced in the polling unit with 74 years old, Pa Sunday Maduka being the first to cast his vote.
It was however a huge turn out of eligible voters at Akogheli polling unit 008, ward 7, with 1314 registered voters.
Voting had started by 10 am.
At the Community Primary school, Amawbia, Awka southouth, several eligible voters had voted by 11 am. INEC officials arrived the polling unit early.
There were however reports of malfunctioning of the card bevas at Ihiala and Enugw- ukwu.
As at the time of filing this report, the conduct of the exercise had been orderly and peaceful. It was however observed that older people were voting more than the youths in some of the polling units.
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