The Saturday 21st LGA elections in Imo State have witnessed the late arrival of sensitive and nonsensitive materials, voter apathy, and other irregularities that have marred the process.
The Nigerian Tribune, which monitored the election, observed that election materials had yet to be distributed from the office of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) as of 11.00 AM.
This is against the electoral guidelines, which indicate that elections should begin by 8.00 AM on Election Day.
The materials were, however, housed at the ISIEC office, loaded onto vehicles for movement to LGAs and polling units, awaiting movement to various parts of the state by 11.00 AM.
With the absence of election materials came apathy, loss of interest in the process, and the absence of voters, who gradually dispersed to their homes.
Most polling units in Owerri Municipal recorded the absence of materials and officials as of 12.30 PM.
Normal daily activities gradually returned to Wethedral, Egbu, Amakohia, Akwakuma, Orji, and MCC roads, with commercial bus drivers plying their routes and receiving patronage from passengers.
There was, however, a beehive of activities at the Douglas Market, with many unaware of an ongoing election.
Chairman of ISIEC, Mr. Charles Ejiogu, however, said that the election would hold despite the considerable delay.
Ejiogu said that the commission had overcome obvious logistics challenges and insisted that the election would go on as scheduled.
He said that 54 vehicles were arranged to convey election materials, two vehicles to each of the 27 LGAs of the state, and that they were already being loaded with materials and would soon begin to depart for the LGAs.
He said, “Despite logistics challenges, which we have successfully overcome, the elections remain sacrosanct and must be held today.”
Voting immediately commenced at the Government Development Secondary School, Douglas, Owerri, in booths 001 to 006 following the arrival of materials by 1.30 PM.
However, few voters turned out to cast their votes for their right choice.
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