BREAKING NEWS Despite operational hitches, Anambra records massive turn out of voters, peaceful election

• Security report stops election in six Ihiala towns_

• EFCC visits Obi's polling unit

By Chuka Nnabuife, Rose Oranye, Nkiru Ezedinugwu and  Nkechi Ikenwoke | _National Light Newspaper_ 

THE presidential and National Assembly elections of Saturday, February 25, recorded massive turn out of voters and peaceful conduct in Anambra State.

National Light reporters who monitored the elections at various locations within the state observed that  despite malfunctioning of BIVAS machine, late arrival of materials and the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at some places, the voters, who trooped out in their numbers waited patiently with determination that they must exercise their franchise no matter how long it takes.

As at 9.08am at the ARROMA Junction, Ward 1, Awka South LGA, voters were seen in clusters around  the polling unit, even when there were no sign of INEC officials .

At ARROMA Junction 2, INEC officials were around as  at 8am but there was no BIVAS machine for accreditation until around 9. 27am.

At ARROMA 3,  Polling Unit 022, INEC officials arrived at 9.22 but there was neither chair nor table around.

Most of the presiding officers at ARROMA Junction attributed their late arrival to delay in obtaining materials. 

One of the voters at ARROMA 3,  Engr Igwealo, who spoke to National Light expressed hope that INEC will deliver on their mandate, noting that their late arrival had to do with logistics.

At St Paul's Parish, Umuokpu, Awka, INEC officials were seen fixing the elction materials at every polling unit within the church premises while about 300 voters were waiting for them to commence the election process as at 9.09am.

Security agencies were also on ground to ensure that there is no rancor rather than calm and peaceful election.

At the home town of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in Amatutu Village, Agulu,  in Anaocha Local Government Area and at his polling unit 019, many voters have been accredited and election ongoing peacefully even as the citizens were also seen casting their votes as at 9.50am.

More so, both the security and party agent were seen standing by to monitor the election process even as pressmen were waiting to observe the voting moment of the presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

Meanwhile, officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  arrived the home and polling unit of the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, around 11am. 

After observing the election process in the ward and had little interaction with the INEC officials on ground  to ascertain the rate of compliance of the voters, the EFCC quickly left to Ward 2 to record the election process in the area.

 Meanwhile there was no presence of INEC officials at Enugwu-Agidi as at 9am, even as 

police  whisked one big man away for moving about with military personnel in the area around 11.30am.

INEC officials, however, arrived  Polling Units 013, 014 ward one, Enugwu-Agidi, around 11. 40am.

Also, as at 4.54pm, voting has not commenced at Nkpor Ward 1, in Polling Unit 009, as the BIVAS machine is not functional, leaving the voters who came out since morning unsure of their fate.

Meanwhile no election was held in  six towns that make up Ebonesie, Ihiala, in Ihiala 2 Constituency despite impressive turn out of voters in the area.

The towns include Ubuluisiuzo, Mbosi, Lilu, Orsumoghu, Iseke and Azia.

According to our reporter, there were some polling units in Uli 1 in which voters were not able to vote.

According to the Electoral Officer in the area,  who spoke to National Light, there was no election in the communities due to security reasons. He also told our reporter that final decision on the fate of the affected wards would be made by the Collation Officer. 

However, there were voting activities in some parts of Ihiala town and some parts of Okija.

In Okija Ward 4, Polling Unit 006, close to St Patrick's Catholic Church, Okija, the BIVAS machine performed very badly as it only cleared about five or six persons before it became problematic.