Large turnout of voters recorded in parts of Anambra

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting in Isuofia commenced at about noon and that the PDP candidate in the election, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo voted at 1.05 p.m. Soludo told newsmen after voting that he was impressed by the large turnout of voters, but added that many voters could not find their names in the voters’ register.

NAN also reports that security was adequate in the areas visited and that the voters conducted themselves in an orderly manner.

In ward one in Ekwulobia, INEC officials arrived at 11.30 a.m. There was a large turnout of voters, as well as heavy presence of security men including police and civil defence. An observer, Mr Lambert Opara, of the National Human Rights Commission, said that the conduct of the elections was very peaceful, but noted that there were some problems.

He said the problems were that voters, who registered at the polling units, could not find their names in the voters register.  NAN reports that officials were seen contacting their head offices to know if they were posted to the right polling centres.

“Some of these potential voters, who could not find their names in the list were referred to other polling booths which, made it difficult for them,” Opara said.

The observer noted that voters were patients, peaceful and took the entire process calmly. He said that the presence of security agents was not responsible for the peaceful conduct of the election as voters themselves were determined to be peaceful.

In Onitsha and its environs, NAN also reports large turnout of voters, with adequate security and orderly conduct of voters.

The Electoral Officer in Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Joseph Elemson, told NAN that election started in the area at 11 a.m. NAN correspondent, who visited Task Force Ward 8, where polling centres 5 and 6 are located in Onitsha-South, reports that voting was peaceful and that security was adequate.  

When contacted on the reports of missing names, INEC Director of Public Affairs, Mr Emmanuel Umenger, said that the issue was raised and discussed during a stakeholders’ meeting.

He said that it was agreed at the meeting that separate registers be opened for such persons to enable them vote and that the decision was passed on to the officials.