Snatching of ballot boxes and other electoral materials in places such as Uzoakwa Central School, Ihiala, Okija, Munbusi, late arrival of materials, the throwing of petrol bombs in some places and omission of names of eligible voters marred the conduct of the governorship election in Anambra State on Saturday.
In Okija, ballot boxes were stolen in the presence of policemen who looked the other way, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appeared helpless.
A lot of voters could not vote because their names were not found on the voters’ list. For example, out of the about 117,000 people who registered in Ogbaro Local Government, less than 20,000 could locate their names.
In fact, incumbent Governor Peter Obi could not vote until about 5pm, as only his name was found on the register, while many of his supporters could not locate theirs.
An authoritative source in Anambra State Government House told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that many of Obi’s supporters were disenfranchised because they could not locate their names at the centres where they registered.
At Umuowelle Ward 3, comprising three villages — Nneogidi, Umuowelle and Umubiala — there were protests by Umuowelle youths over a mix up in the voters register.
Speaking on behalf of the irate youths, who were seen in groups singing victory songs, the president of the group, Mr Uche Owoh, complained that their aged parents could not find their names in the voters register at centres where they registered.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 100 persons were arrested during the election for various electoral malpractices, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Philemon Leha, said.
According to him, their offences ranged from thuggery to rigging and ballot box snatching, among others.
The commissioner said that those nabbed would be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has urged stakeholders in the governorship polls in Anambra to ensure smooth conduct of the election.
Akunyili also urged INEC, security agencies, contestants and the Anambra people to work hard to ensure a successful election.
She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in her country home in Agulu, Anambra, that she was concerned over the late arrival of election materials and security men for the polls.
“I am also worried because the materials are just about to be distributed because this is a distribution centre. I pray that eventually things work out well.
“It has to be free and fair and be done on time because we can’t afford to fail in this election. I can tell you the stakes are high.
“The stake is high for Nigeria, the stake is high for Anambra State, and even for the individual because we cannot tell the world that we are rebranding if we cannot run a free and fair election.
“And we don’t have any excuse this time around because if we fail, what are we going to tell the world? Are we going to tell the world that Anambra is big?
“Anambra is smaller than Ghana isn’t it? We look forward actually at the end of the day to be smiling, not because of the victory of any individual, afterall all the contestants are Anambra people.
“We want to celebrate the victory of free and fair election in Anambra State,†she said.
The minister expressed her optimism that Anambra would conduct an election that would make the country proud in the international community.
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