Amaka madu
The people of Anambra State, on Saturday 28 September 2024 voted in the long awaited local government election in the area after almost 11 years since the last election.A visit to most polling units across the State indicated that voting started late owing to late arrival of Ansiec officials and voting materials.At Ezi Ebe polling unit in Okpuno Awka south LGA the villagers were sighted setting up canaopies for Ansiec officials who were yet to arrive as a 10:05 am.It was the same story at the polling unit opposite Igwe Okpuno palace as well as most other voting points in Awka North LGA.
Addressing newsmen shortly after casting his vote in his Umuzuocha ward 2 polling unit in Awka South LGA, the Managing Director of Anambra State Waste management authority (ASWAMA), Chief Mike Ozoemenam commended Ansiec for smooth conduct of the elections across the State despite the short notice for preparations.He expressed satisfaction with the massive voter turnout at the polling units unlike what obtained in several other locations .The ASWAMA boss, also lauded the people of Umuzocha community for coming out in their numbers to vote and charged them to keep it up in future elections.While showering encomiums on Governor Soludo for the political will to ensure conduct of the local government elections in record time, Chief Ozoemenam called in the people of Anambra to give their unalloyed support to the present administration in the state.
On his own part, the managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Hon Ossy Onuko, who voted in his umudioka ward 3 polling unit in Awka South LGA, praised the state Electoral Management body, Ansiec for a wonderful exercise across the State while commending security operatives and other stakeholders for their significant roles in ensuring peaceful and violence free atmosphere during the polls.He also called on those who will emerge winners at the polls to be magnanimous in victory as well ensure provision of quality leadership at the grassroots.
Also there was an impressive turnout of voters at Ezinifite Okpuno hall where one of the chairmanship candidates of the All Progressives Grande Alliance (APGA), Prince Chinedu Okafor, voted. Prince Okafor who was satisfied with the peaceful conduct of the election in his ward commended Ansiec for making the process seamless.He noted that people were peace loving people who conducted themselves well to ensure the poll was successful.
The deputy chairman of Anambra State traditional rulers and Igwe of Okpuno community in Awka south LGA, Igwe Sunday Okafor praised the entire voting process despite the late arrival of voting materials and personnel.
Members of the accredited election observers led by their Prince Azor who is also the chairman of Anambra State Civil Society Network (Asconet) were seen observing the voting process.According to Prince Azor who decried late arrival of materials and voter apathy across the polling units, commended Ansiec for conducting the election 11 years after the last exercise.He noted that the use of manual resgister in accreditation of voters instead BIVAS machine made the process extremely faster as voting was concluded early in most polling stations.Prince Azor suggested that adequate attention be given to sensitization of the electorates in future elections to forestall voter apathy. While hailing the supreme Court judgement that heralded the local government elections across the country, the chairman of the observers called on the judiciary to allow for sufficient preparation time in future judgements.
Voting ended before 4pm in most polling units across the State while results are being awaited.
Its believed that the election will usher in grassroots development and deepen democracy in the area.
