Published 7th Nov, 2021

By Tola Owoyele

The Anambra State governorship election held on Saturday is the latest evidence of what might be expected as the countdown to the 2023 general election starts to mount.

On the strength of the buildup, it didn’t look like it would be a straightforward event.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was threatening fire and brimstone, insisting that the election would not hold. It wasn’t until November 4, two days before the election, that Emma Powerful, its spokesman, announced the cancellation of the earlier declared sit-at-home order, pinning it on the “intervention of respected elders and stakeholders in the state”.

Still, a heavy contingent of security officials, including soldiers, was deployed to the state, with Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, explaining that the deployment was not to intimidate voters but to ensure their protection and the smooth conduct of the election.

Well, by the time voting was over on Saturday, it turned out security was not the biggest threat to election, but other man-made issues.

LOW VOTER TURNOUT

Due to the uncertainty and concerns about safety and security among the state’s indigenous population, the election experienced a low voter turnout.

Despite a high presence of security agents throughout the state, voter apathy was widespread, as many residents decided to stay indoors.

During the week, most of the natives were seen fleeing the state in large numbers, fearing they could be caught in any form of violence during the elections.

DELAYED KICK-OFF OF VOTING

There were significant delays in the release of election materials and the transportation of election officials to their respective polling units.

In, Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area, police officers meant to provide security could not leave the secretariat on time because there were no buses to convey them to the various polling units they were assigned to.

The policemen also protested over non-payment of food allowance.

Corps members were stuck at the secretariat due to the absence of vehicles that would convey them and the equipment needed for the exercise to their respective voting units. Like the police, they also complained about not getting the promised food allowance.

Motorcycles were later hired to transport election materials to various polling units in the local government.

LATE ARRIVAL OF OFFICIALS, MATERIALS

There were significant delays in the arrival of electoral officers and voting materials in most parts of the state. Part of the electorate, who arrived at 7 am, had to wait hours for INEC officials to arrive before accreditation could start.

Late arrival of personnel and materials was observed in Aniocha, Aguata and Awka North Local Government Area. In Achalla, Awka North, voting exercise did not commence until 11.40 am.

MASS FAILURE OF BIMODAL VOTER ACCREDITATION SYSTEM (BVAS)

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) deployed for electronic accreditation of voters malfunctioned at several polling units across the state.

This forced Nwachukwu Orji, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Anambra State, to extend the voting exercise from 3 pm to 4 pm.

Charles Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), expressed his disappointment over the mass failure of BVAS in the state. As a result of the glitch, Soludo and other voters were forced to wait endlessly at his polling unit at Ofiyi Square, Aguata LGA.

While speaking with newsmen in Aguata, Soludo termed BVAS technology a complete failure. Election officials eventually resorted to manual accreditation.

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