Suzy Oruya
THE extension of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) sent a wave of suspense across the state as citizens may have to wait for another day due to the malfunctioning of newly introduced Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by the electoral body.
The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, who disclosed this at a news briefing held at INEC headquarters, Awka, the state capital, on Saturday said the extension became necessary to enable more eligible voters to cast their votes in areas affected the malfunctioning system.
Amid palpable fear that had gripped residents of the state in the build up to the election due to the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sunday Tribune gathered that early arrival of voters at polling units across the state to exercise their franchise confirmed their readiness to elect a new governor for the state.
Sunday Tribune observed low turnout of voters’ in some parts of the states, which was said to be connected to the fear of attacks by secessionist groups that have held the state by the jugular in recent weeks.
As residents expressed fear over the outcome of the election following the extension of the exercise, Sunday Tribune gathered that some of the BVAS machines deployed for the election were declared faulty in spite of INEC’s edge over other technological innovations used in electoral processes.
But Nkwachukwu in his reaction to the development said that the commission was already working to rectify the problem.
According to him, “The commission is currently investigating the reason the accreditation devices, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), have worked perfectly in some Polling Units, but not in others. He said that the measure became necessary to enable more, if not all, eligible voters to cast their votes in the areas affected by the malfunctioning of the system. Nkwachukwu said that the commission was already working to rectify the problem.
“In line with existing regulations and guidelines of the Commission, any intending voter who is on the queue by 4.00 pm shall be allowed to vote.
“The extension of time arose out of several field reports that voters have had problems with accreditation.
“The commission is currently investigating the reason the accreditation devices. Bimodal Voter Accreditation System has worked perfectly in some Polling Units, but not in others.
“In cases of malfunction of the BVAS, the Presiding Officer must inform the voters and polling agents that accreditation and voting shall continue tomorrow or at another time determined by “Also, some of the trained ad-hoc staff backed out at the last moment. The Commission is on top of these challenges and extant regulations and guidelines will be applied,” he said.
While the election was adjudged peaceful in many parts of the state with impressive turnout of voters in most of areas in Awka South, Njikoka and Idemili North Local Government Areas, with candidates of each political party hopeful of emerging winner, some voters feared the extension of the exercise may cast a doubt on its credibility.
Findings by Sunday Tribune revealed that amid heavy presence of security personnel in some polling units, streets and roads, voting commenced peacefully in many centres across the state as voters were being accredited with the card reader working effectively.
In Obosi Town Hall centre which has three polling unit, there was a heavy security turnout at about 10.40am with some of the presiding officers stranded, not knowing how to locate their polling unit. At Ward 5, Umuogbu village in Awka South Local Government area, Mbaraoye Primary School, Uga Ward 2, among others had similar problems during the electoral process because of the malfunctioning.
When our correspondent visited Uga Ward 2, the Presiding Officer, Emmanuel Efiong Owokere said that out of the 750 registered voters in the area, few were acred- ited and voted because of the dysfunction of the Bimodal machine.
The INEC ad-hoc staff at the polling units said the devices seemed sensitive to light and failed to capture those who have come out to vote.
“It must be noted that on account of security concerns, some of the transporters that were mobilized and collected 50 per cent of their sign on fee backed out at the last moment, leaving some of our adhoc staff stranded.
“Also, some of the trained ad-hoc staff backed out at the last moment. The Commission is on top of these challenges and extant regulations and guidelines will be applied,” he said.
Peter Obi, Umeh, decry card readers malfunctioning
The former Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that the only challenge of the ongoing Anambra governorship election is the card reader machines faltering during the exercise.
Obi spoke after casting his vote polling unit, Ward 1 Agulu, Amatutu village, in Anocha Local Government Area of the state.
He said the card readers’ failure created serious delay in the process. He however praised the large turnout of voters and the peaceful conduct of voters so far.
“I was on the queue for 45 minutes and of course I protested, but later I exercise. I am happy with the police and other securities Professionalism. I commend Ndi-Anambra for their sportsmanship.
“The card reader malfunctioned when I was supposed to cast my vote. After 45 minutes or thereabouts, the card reader suddenly woke up again and started functioning. I believe INEC officials will do something about it in order not to disfranchise the eligible voters.”
At Polling Unit 015 Ward 2 Agulu Amatutu Village, a stone throw to the Peter Obi’s voting unit, thousands of voters also protested card reader failure as the INEC presiding Officer at unit, Christian Nwafor, confirmed to Sunday Tribune that the readers were working and that only five people were able to be captured and voted.
He appealed to the people to be calm, stressing that the situation will address in no time. At Agulu-Osigbo Ward 1, polling unit, 017 and 018, where Senator Victor Umeh, cast his vote, at about 12 noon, there were complaints about card readers’ failure.
Ngige expresses shock over BVAS
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, also expressed shock over the poor performance of the Biometric Voters Accreditation System introduced by INEC at the ongoing governorship election in the state.
Ngige spoke to journalists at his Nkwoide Alor ward 1, in Idemili South Local Government Area, during the Anambra Governorship election on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the BVAS could not capture both facial and finger print of Ngige as at 2.45 pm after several attempts.
The visibly-disappointed minister said, “Like you can see, I am going home, when the machine starts working they should call me.”
Ngige said though he was not blaming INEC, advised that in future elections the commission should test-run their equipment a week before the exercise.
Also, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Governorship Candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), said poor functioning BVAS machines and the late commencement of polls would adversely affect the process.
APC candidate, Andy Uba, commends process
Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Andy Uba, commended the country’s electoral umpire on the smooth conduct of the exercise.
Uba made the commendation during a press interview in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra, on Saturday when he arrived his Uga Ward 1 to cast his vote at polling unit 17.
He expressed satisfaction with the voters’ presence at the ward and encouraged the voters to vote out non-performing political party.
Uba urged voters who are yet to come out to do so to vote for their choice candidate.
Residents lament late arrival of election material, express fear
Mr Peter Ezenwajiaku, a voter, said that he got to the polling point as early as7:am and had to wait till officials arrived about 8.40am.
Ezenwajiaku said that the delay in the time scheduled for the election by the officer of the election team was not a good one and hoped that the time lost would be extended for the voters to vote.
He said it was impressive to see the election move on well with the peaceful manner that voters had conducted themselves at the moment and prayed that it would end peacefully.
Mr Linus Egbunine, a party agent for the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that the election process was moving on very well, as the fear of attack has been overruled with the presence of security officers.
Egbunine said that he was happy that people came out to vote despite all the fears entertained before now and hoped that other voters still at home will brave it and come out to vote.
Mr Pius Ezegbo, a party agent of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), said that voters are not much at the moment but believe that with time more people may come out.
Mrs Favour Okeke, a voter, said that she was yet to vote because the machine in 018 did not recognise her so she was asked to wait till the technician arrives to sort out the challenges.
I’m shocked by INEC’s technology breakdown, logistics problems ―Soludo
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo also expressed shock over the technology breakdown of the Bimodal Verification Accreditation (BVA) system.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported INEC has been experiencing technical challenges in the use of the BVA device to capture voters in some parts of the state.
Soludo, who arrived at the Polling Unit 002 ,Ward 13, at Ofiyi Square, Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area, at about 12:15p.m., could not be captured by the BVA system.
He said: “This BVA technology is a complete failure, and by almost 1.p.m. in the day, voting is yet to start in most of the polling units in the state.
“And in places where it is working, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to capture a voter. With this crowd, even if the device starts working now, it is not possible to finish up within record time.
“It raises fundamental questions because I’m quite shocked to hear that this technology breakdown is happening all over the state. Soludo also decried the in- adequacy of INEC staff and security personnel in some polling units.
“For example in Uke, there is a ward with 17 polling units but only five have INEC officials. The other 12, no officials.
“There is also the security issue, here in my polling unit, no single policeman.
“In Ihialla, I got a report that materials up until now have not left the local government. It is a very unfortunate situation. INEC should do the needful and make this process successful,” he said.
APGA, APC trade blame
Meanwhile, Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, (SAUGCO) has urged the rival All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) to quit the governorship race and congratulate the presumptive winner of the contest, Senator Andy Uba.
Speaking against the backdrop of claims by APGA that the APC had written results of 10 Local Government Areas, SAUGCO wondered how on the eve of a yet-to-be conducted election, such assertion could be made by a serious political party.
According to the director, media and publicity of SAUCGO, “If APGA was to believe their own lies, why then are they still pretending to be in the governorship race? Once someone is snookered beyond help, the right and appropriate thing to do is to throw in the towel.
“Anyone who has followed the trajectory of APGA’s campaign leading up to Saturday’s poll would have noted that the dominant theme of its electioneering was the flurry with which it manufactured one tale after another, all targeted at the APC.”
Obiano votes, urges citizens to participate in exercise
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Saturday voted at ERI Primary School Polling Centre at the Nov 6, 2021 Anambra State governorship election.
Obiano of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), voted at exactly 9:28 a:m, at his Polling Unit 004, Otuocha Ward Ward 1, Aguleri in Anambra East LGA.
The governor, after casting his vote, appealed to the people to come out and exercise their franchise.
Obiano equally hailed Ndi Anambra for the peaceful conduct they exhibited.
Ozigbo votes, decries delay in voting device
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Valentine Ozigbo, alongside Orjiugo, his wife, cast their vote at PU 010, Social Centre square, Amaesi Ward in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra at about 11a:m.
Ozigbo, who voted after about 20 minutes of accreditation delay, expressed worry that all willing electorate might not be able to vote if the 2:30 pm deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was to be adhered to.
He said the deadline should be relaxed to allow all eligible voters cast their ballot if the problem was not their making.
He said there were places where election materials and officials had not arrived at about the time he voted. “I want to thank God for the clement weather, a moment ago, I and my wife fulfilled our own part of the obligation which is to cast our votes.
“Thank God it peaceful and we have been able to vote, but it is a mixed feeling, I am a bit worried by the time it took us to vote, verification by BIVAS device was slow.
”We had to use hotspot before it worked, while I commend INEC for the technology, I want to say that it must be improved.
“So, I call for extension of time to ensure every eligible voter votes if it is not their cause, I am expecting a minimum of one million people to vote out of about 2.5 million registered voters.”
The PDP candidate said INEC took the allegation of writing of results and subversion of the process seriously while calling on other political parties and entire Anambra citizens to guard against electoral maleficence.
He said the election was widely participatory as a result of the relaxation of the IPOB sit-at-home which posed a major threat to the election.
“Some people are desperate about this election and in that desperation, they can do anything, they want to write results and push it in.”
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