The recently conducted local government elections in Anambra State have generated little enthusiasm among voters, with low turnout and logistical problems reported in many polling units across the 21 constituencies in the state.
Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria reported heavy police presence in the polling units and wards visited, but a shortage of polling personnel and materials in several polling units.
Scenes of tranquility were striking in several polling units, such as Polling Unit 002 located at Ofuiyi Square, Umueze in Isuofia County, as well as Polling Unit 007 at Ozala Central School in Isuofia County, Aguata Local Government Area.
Other polling units visited presented similar situations, with very limited voters present. Some polling stations such as Polling Station 002 in Isuofia Township, Aguata, opened on time but struggled to attract voters due to lack of interest in the polls.
When asked about this, Mrs Joy Okenyi said the lack of interest is due to the fact that there is only one political option, which has led people to lose interest in the elections.
Despite these challenges, some voters remain optimistic about the increasing voter turnout. Mr John Ikpeze, a voter at Polling Station 002 in Isuofia Township, expressed confidence that there will be more turnout once people become aware of the actual conduct of the polls.
However, the situation was much more chaotic in other places, such as Awka South, where many voters were stranded due to the absence of officials of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) at several polling stations.
As of 11:00 a.m., polling stations in the Agu Awka government area of Awka South were still awaiting the arrival of electoral materials and ANSIEC officials. The absence of electoral officials at the Nwafor Orizu Demonstration School in the Commissioners’ Area of Awka was also noted.
Despite the challenges encountered during these local government elections in Anambra, some areas of Awka South continued to function normally, with businesses open and traffic moving, despite the restrictions in place for the elections.
Overall, these local government elections in Anambra appear to be marked by a lack of participants and organizational challenges. It will be important to closely monitor the development of the situation and see how these elections unfold in the coming days.