Anambra:Large voter turn-out in Nnewi

FOLARIN ADEMOSU\Nnewi

Many voters turned out for accreditation in polling stations across Nnewi North Local Government Area, LGA, in the south senatorial district of the eastern Nigerian state of Anambra. At Ebenator Central Primary School, Ward 3, one of 20 polling units in the LGA, voters accredidation began 35 minutes behind the 8 a.m stipulated time. A polling officer and member of the National Yo uth Service Corps, NYSC, who declined to give his name, attributed the delay to non-avai lability of chairs and tables to sit on. He also confirmed early arrival of electoral materials. Mrs. Okafor, a member of the INEC Domestic Election Observer team, corroborates him. “The polling officers arrived few minutes before 7 a.m, but there are no tables and chairsfor them to sit on. We have just made arrangements that the school be opened so that they can get some to sit on,” she said. As at the time of filling in this report, the INEC supervisor for the unit had not arrived. Unlike Ebanator Central School, accreditation started at exactly 8 a.m at Nnofor Hall, Ward 1, along Igwe Orizu road. One of the accredited voters at the polling centre was Ifeanyin Ubah, the Labour Party governorship candidate, whose long convoy rolled up to the venue at 10:16 a.m. He was accredited almost immediately. Aside Ubah,  National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, is another political notable from the Nnewi North LGA.  St. Jame’s Primary School and Nme Hall, also on Igwe Orizu road, were two other polling stations, where voters accreditation was said to have begun early.  The situation was different at Nnewi High School, along Nnobi Road, where over 50 men and women were engaged in walk-outs, while some others were seen playing football. Although some residents claimed the school was a designated polling centre, the occupants said they were not aware.  (NB. More reports coming. The places are flung apart.