10:50am  Anambra election: Massive voters’ turnout in central zone

Despite fears of insecurity, which many have said may cause voter apathy in today’s election in Anambra State, DAILY POST reports that there is massive voters turnout in all the polling units visited within the Central senatorial zone.

In Amawbia, Enugwu-Ukwu, Ogidi and other areas visited, the turnout was high, with a long queue of voters, waiting to be accredited for voting.

Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Nkem Okeke who spoke on the massive turnout attributed it to the decision of the Federal government to deploy massive security in the state.

“The people are very relaxed as you can see. There is no apprehension at all. People have no reason not to come out, because they are confident of the security,” he said.

     

Anambra Deputy Governor votes, displays ballot paper, hails BVAS

Anambra Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, has voted at his polling unit, Umueze Awozu, Enugwu-Ukwu Ward 3, polling unit 005 at exactly 10:04am.

Okeke who arrived the polling units and waited for a while because of the high turnout of voters was later captured within two minutes, and he cast his vote.

After voting, he displayed his ballot paper to reveal that he voted for his party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I had to reveal my ballot paper because they have been rumours that I had defected back to APGA, but that is not true. You just saw that I voted for my party, APC.”

He also hailed the Biometric Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), saying the system presents a seamless voting process.

“This is the easiest that I have had in voting ever. The process is very seamless and as you can see, I have just voted. In other election, I have always had problem of finger print, but this is different and seamless.”

  

10:04am  Massive police presence in polling units

There is a massive police deployment in polling units around Anambra State, as residents of the state go to cast their votes this Saturday.

DAILY POST reporter covering the election has witnessed over 15 police officers each in most of the units visited.

Several roadblocks manned by soldiers were also seen within a kilometre range.

It was, however, noticed that the security operatives were very cautious in the manner they are treating voters, just as it was noticed that they did not take firearms into the polling units.

At 9:00 am, INEC officials and Security yet to arrive at former Gov Peter Obi voting centre PUs 019. Ward 2, Neni, Anaocha LGA.

Voters present are complaining, saying they are ready to vote but election officials on ground.
At 9:00 am, INEC officials and Security yet to arrive at former Gov Peter Obi voting centre PUs 019. Ward 2, Neni, Anaocha LGA.

Voters present are complaining, saying they are ready to vote but election officials are not on ground.

Former Governor, Peter Obi Village town hall.

The people of Anambra State will on Saturday, November 6, 2021, decide who takes charge of the affairs of the state for the next four years.

All things being equal, the election will go on despite serious security threats in the South East, especially Anambra State.

Some of the notable political parties set to participate in the governorship election include: A, AA, ADC, APC, APGA
APM, PDP, SDP, YPP and ZLP.

However, the major contenders for the Anambra Government House are the All Progressives Congress, with a sitting Senator, Andy Uba as its flag-bearer. The All Progressives Grand Alliance, the incumbent party, has a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Prof. Charles Soludo as its candidate while the national main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has a young and vibrant candidate in the person of Valentine Ozigbo.

This is not to undermine the strengths of Godwin Maduka, candidate of A; Ben Etiaba of the AA; Akachukwu Nwankpo of the ADC; Onyejegbu Okwudili representing the APM; Obinna Uzoh of SDP, Ifeanyi Ubah of the YPP and Obiora Okonkwo, candidate of the ZLP.

There is, however, a serious concern about election apathy majorly because of the recent sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and the heavy presence of the police and military, and other security agencies in the state.

However, DAILY POST will bring you all the results, events and incidents as they happen before, during and after the election live from Anambra State.

Follow this thread until the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC announces the winner of the election.