By Handel Patrick
The Chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Anambra East Local Government Area, Mr. Hillary Obike, has called for the immediate cancellation of the local government election in the area, describing the process as a “sham” lacking any credibility.
Speaking at his polling unit, Unit 018 Michael Tansi in Aguleri, Mr. Obike expressed deep disappointment with the conduct of the election, stating that, as of 12 noon., he and many others had yet to cast their votes. “I have not voted. There’s no election,” Obike declared.
He further noted that his polling unit, with a registered voting strength of about 78 or 79, received only 25 ballot papers. In addition, there were no result sheets provided, with election officials presenting only an exercise book for record-keeping.
According to Obike, election officials claimed there were instructions from the state government to record the results in exercise books and send them to Abuja for computation. “This is unacceptable,” he stated. “Some polling units don’t even have ballot boxes or ballot papers. Is this how elections are supposed to be conducted?”
He described the process as an orchestrated attempt to disenfranchise voters in Anambra East, warning that such actions undermined the democratic process and aspirations for development in the state. “This disenfranchisement, intentionally done, is not the way to achieve the vision of a ‘Dubai or Taiwan’ model that the Governor speaks about for Anambra State.”
Mr. Obike pledged to challenge the election outcome legally, insisting that he and his supporters would not remain silent. “We will contest this shambolic election. I plead with the Governor to cancel it immediately,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Ifunanya Edochie, a voter at Ameze Polling Unit 004 Aguleri ,voiced her frustrations, revealing that materials for voting were not adequately supplied to her unit. “This polling unit, with a voting strength of over 3,000 people, was only provided with 50 ballot papers. It’s a disgrace,” she said.
She noted that her polling unit is the same one where former Governor Willie Obiano casts his vote, adding that the entire process was riddled with irregularities. “We’ve heard that the election has already been rigged, and I am deeply disappointed. I, too, am calling for the cancellation of the election in Anambra East.”
As of the time of filing this report voting has not commence anywhere in many parts of Anambra East Council Area
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