Low voter turnout mars Anambra LG poll

Anambra State's Local Government elections on Saturday were marked by low voter turnout in several areas despite early arrival of voting materials. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was the only party fielding candidates in 20 of the state's 21 Local Government Areas, with the Young Progressives Party (YPP) contesting only in Anambra East LGA.

Voting materials arrived on time in most wards, monitored by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) officials, police and security personnel. However, residents in Awka North and Awka South LGAs largely stayed away from polling centers, continuing with their daily activities. In Amawbia community, voters from three wards were redirected to a single voting center at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Similar centralization occurred in Okpuno and Agu Awka wards.

Security arrangements were robust, with the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Nnanna Ama, leading patrols across the state. He visited ANSIEC headquarters and monitored key routes including the Onitsha Expressway and Anambra East LGA. "The patrol assessed security, monitored personnel deployment and ensured peaceful elections," Ama stated. Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant in Anambra, Olatunde Maku, reported peaceful conditions during his statewide monitoring.

In Onitsha South LGA, voting took place at Modebe Primary School and Central School in Odoakku with minimal turnout. Voters who participated described the process as orderly and commended ANSIEC for timely arrival of officials. Collation of results is scheduled to begin at the ANSIEC office in Awka.

ANSIEC's Information and Publicity Commissioner Tony Nnalue had earlier announced that two parties - APGA and YPP - were participating with 346 councillorship and 22 chairmanship candidates screened. APGA candidates run unopposed in 20 LGAs, while Anambra East LGA features a YPP candidate. Unopposed candidates must still face "Yes or No" ballots to confirm their acceptance by voters.

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