Cynthia Ezegwu
A 96-year-old woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Onike, on Saturday broke down in tears after she was prevented from voting at the Umudim Akasi Polling Unit 019, Agulu II, Ward 8, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mrs. Onike arrived at the polling unit around 10:29 a.m. but was informed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that she could not vote because she did not possess a valid voter’s card.
The visibly distraught nonagenarian lamented the development, recalling that she had participated in previous elections at the same polling unit.
Speaking in Igbo, she said, “I have been voting at this polling unit. I voted in the last election, but the INEC officials said I have no valid voters’ card. My children are outside, and none is at home with me. I am pained that I am not going to vote in this election to determine who will be my next governor.”
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The polling unit, which has a total of 830 registered voters, witnessed a large turnout of electorates.
Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra has 16 political parties fielding candidates against the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as the battle for the state’s top seat intensifies.