Anambra decides 2021: Live results, updates, situation reports from governorship election.
1:44 pm ZLP candidate, Okonkwo votes, decries BVAS, commends security arrangement.
Governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dr Obiora Okonkwo, has voted in his polling unit, Ogidi Town Hall, Polling Unit 009, Ogidi Ward 2.
Okonkwo who spoke to journalists after voting commended the heavy deployment of security for the election.
He said the arrangement for the election is good, and said he hopes the security situation remains till after the election.
He decried technology failure in some places, as occasioned by Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), adding that such may affect peoples confidence in the election.
He also condemned the late commencement of voting in most voting centres.
Anambra Guber: Zero adherence to COVID-19 protocols during election
DAILY POST Correspondent in Anambra reports that there is near zero adherence to COVID-19 protocols as indigenes of the state turn out to vote today.
In many polling units visited, it was observed that there is high voters turnout, just as the voters also jettisoned COVID-19 protocols.
It was observed that there was no social distancing in the polling units, just as many of the voters turned up without face masks.
In Alor ward one, polling unit 002, where the Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige is expected to vote, the only COVID-19 protocol adhered to is the application of hand sanitizer.
The INEC officials are waiting for voters
“We started early. About 47 voters have voted, out of 540. We are still waiting for more people to come.
“When the BIVAS gave us issue, we switched it off and restarted and it worked well.”
Ward 3, PU03, Amawbia II, Central School, Awka South.
12:26 pm Ozigbo expresses worry over poor internet, asks INEC to extend voting time.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo has expressed worry over the poor internet connectivity experienced by voters in the use of the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine.
Mr. Ozigbo decried that it took him over 20 minutes to casts his vote and wondered what other voters would experience in various parts of the state.
Ozigbo had cast his vote at Social Centre, Unit 010, Amesi, Aguata Local Government Area, where he spoke to journalists.
He seized the opportunity to call for an extension of voting period, especially as voting is said to be ending at 2:30pm. He called on eligible voters to come out and exercise their franchise, assuring them of their security.
He further decried late arrival of materials at Awka South, Orumba North, other parts, and urged INEC officials to ensure materials get to those areas to avoid disenfranchising voters.
11:43 am Nnewi voters stop commencement of voting over unavailability of original result sheet
Voters in Polling Unit 002, Enem Hall, Otolo Ward 2, Nnewi North Local Government Area have stopped the commencement of voting, saying original result sheets were not brought by INEC officials.
Mr China Christian, a PDP supporter who spoke to DAILY POST said, “We have refused the commencement of accreditation/voting at PU 002, Enem Hall, Otolo Ward 2, Nnewi North LGA because the INEC officials did not come with original result sheet.
“Until we sight the election result sheet, voting will not commence. Those preparing to write election results in their hotel rooms will meet their waterloo today,” he said.
10:59 am Anambra election: Obiano votes in Aguleri, urges voters to come out on time
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano was among the first voters to cast their votes in the ongoing gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
Obiano was accompanied by his wife, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu to Otuocha Ward 4 polling station where they both went through a rapid registration before casting their votes in the polling booth.
Addressing the press shortly after casting his vote, Governor Obiano appealed to Ndi Anambra to come out quickly and perform their civic duties explaining that the voting exercise was expected to last for only a few hours.
He commended the voting process, saying it was fast and easy and expressed optimism that the entire exercise would would be free and fair across the state.
10:50 am 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.https://b74ba7257de3695dd49fc6a99b6aa37a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html?n=0
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.”
10:04 am 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.