By Sunny A. David
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has commended Anambra State voters for trooping out in their numbers to exercise their civic responsibility.
The governor gave the commendation in Isuofia shortly after casting his vote.
The voting process was seamless, although the ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and election materials arrived late at the governor’s polling unit, Ofiyi Hall, Umueze Isuofia.
Soludo in his speech encouraged Nigerians and ndi Anambra to continue to participate actively in the electoral process.
He commended the election umpire for improved technology and encouraged the people to wait patiently to cast their votes.
Noting that the election was peaceful in all parts of the state, Governor Soludo expressed the hope that the democratic process of the country could be deepened with active participation of the electorate.
Accreditation and BVAS authentication were carried out successfully before casting his vote.
Meanwhile, late arrival of electoral materials was recorded in the presidential and National Assembly elections in the Onitsha metropolis and polling units in the Anambra East council area.
Our correspondent who monitored the exercise in these areas reports that electoral materials started leaving the Onitsha North and South council areas from 9:30 a.m. while as early as 7 a.m., people had already arrived at their polling units waiting patiently to exercise their franchise.
A party agent, Mr Mike Okechukwu, and the secretary to the chairman of the Onitsha North council area, Mr Dignity Ogbaoso, told our correspondent that they had spent time in sorting out the electoral materials and the BVAS machines to make sure that everything was complete.
Voting started around 10:30 a.m. at Otuocha Ward I, Christian Village, Aguleri, and Polling Unit 004, where the former Governor Willie Obiano cast his vote around 11 a.m.
Speaking to our correspondent at Otuocha Ward I, Mr Benjamin Udeka, Nnenna Okafor and an aged woman, Madam Anna Nwafor, said that the exercise was peaceful and going well except for the late arrival of the materials.
Also, at Nsugbe Ward I, Ilo Ofia NTA Polling Unit 001, the voters came out in their numbers to exercise their franchise, including one of the senatorial aspirants, Dr Tony Nwoye, who cast his vote around noon.
Speaking on the exercise at Nsugbe Ward I, Mr James Ugochukwu gave kudos to INEC for the smooth running of the exercise, noting that BVAS machines were functioning well but pleaded for extension of time to enable people to vote.
Also speaking on the exercise, the special adviser to the governor on legal matters, Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke, and an indigene of Nsugbe, Chief Kingsley Uduh, commended the peaceful atmosphere and large turnout of people.
