Anambra election: 96-year-old woman weeps after she was stopped from voting

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

A 96-year-old woman, Mrs Elizabeth Onike, on Saturday burst into tears on Saturday after she was told that she cannot vote without valid voter card.

The woman had stormed Umudim Akasi Polling Unit 019, Agulu Ward 8, Anaocha Local Government Area with the hope of voting for her preferred candidate.

But she was stopped from voting after it was realized that she was not with a voter card.

The elderly woman broke down in tears when she was informed by an INEC official that she could not cast her vote due to the absence of a valid voter card.

Onike, a regular voter at the polling unit, expressed her disappointment with the development, which she described as unfortunate.

“I have been voting at this polling unit. I voted in the last election, but the INEC officials said I have no valid voter card.

“My children are outside the state and none is at home with me.

“I am pained that I am not going to vote in this election to determine who will be my next governor,” she said in Igbo language.

The polling unit, which had a total of 830 registered voters, witnessed a large turnout.

Meanwhile, Chief Romanus Ibekwe, Chairman of Anaocha Local Government Area, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he described as smooth conduct of Anambra governorship election.

Ibekwe, spoke at his Umukabia Hall, Neni Ward 11 Polling Unit 007 after casting his vote.

He said that INEC officials and the materials arrived on time, while the accreditation and voting process was seamless.

He commended the security agencies for providing what he called ‘best of security environment’ in the history of election in the council.

He, however, said that there were threats at Nri Ward 1 but that it was taken care of and the people came out to vote.

“The process has been peaceful. Anaocha people have shown that they are peace loving and that they love the government of the day.

“That is why people not only came back from other states and cities but thronged the polling units to vote.

“I appeal to INEC to improve on its logistics in terms of timely movement of men and materials and quality of vehicles used for deployment of officials to reduce delays,” Ibekwe said.

(NAN)