Today, 6 November 2021, the people of Anambra State, South-south Nigeria, will troop out to elect a new governor to govern the southern state for another four years term.
Newsone Nigeria reports that that the Anambra election would take place in twenty-one (21) Local Government Areas (LGAs) and three hundred and twenty-seven (327) wards in the state.
Local government areas where the Anambra election 2021 is taking place include: Aguata, Awka North, Awka South, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Ayamelum, Dunukofia, Ekwusigo, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ihiala, Njikoka, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Orumba North, Orumba South and Oyi.
In the build-up to the election, Charles Soludo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Anambra, has popped up clearly as a top contender for the office of the governor, thanks to the backing of the outgoing governor of the state, Willie Obiano, who also contested on the APGA platform.
On the other hand, six other candidates, Ifeanyi Ubah – Young Progressive Party (YPP), Valentine Ozigbo – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Maduka – Accord Party (AP),Akachukwu Nwankpo – African Democratic Congress (ADC), Andy Uba – All Progressives Congress (APC), and Obiora Dikeora – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) are hoping to beat APGA’s Soludo to the number one political position in Anambra State.
Newsone Nigeria reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) put the number of registered voters for the Anambra election at 2.5 million registered voters
Eighteen (18) candidates are vying for the post of a governor on the platform of 18 political parties.
Anambra, with over 4 million population, consists of 21 local government areas. There are 5,720 Polling Units (PUs) across the state.
However, there would be no voting in 86 PUs because there are no voters there, according to INEC.
The commission is conducting the election after recovering from a series of violent attacks on its facilities in the South-east.
Live reports from Anambra state, southern Nigeria.
10:58 am: The problem with the bimodal verification device is resolved at Unit 2, Umueze Isuofia in Aguata LGA. Concession is given to the elderly and pregnant women.
10:42 am: Voting is ongoing at the polling unit of Senator Andy Uba in Ugah, Aguata LGA.
10:34 am: Accreditation and voting are ongoing at polling units 10,11,12,13 and 15 located at the Social Center in Amuwo village, Amesi in Aguata LGA. Mr Valentine Ozigbo is expected to vote at one of the polling units.
10:12 am: At Unit 2, Umueze Isuofia in Aguata LGA, there’s been a problem with the bimodal verification device as the major functions of the device are not working.
10:01 am: Electoral officials have just arrived at the polling unit of Senator Andy Uba in Ugah, Aguata LGA.
9:58 am: Electoral officials have just arrived at Otolo Ward 2, Nnofor Hall, Nnewi North LGA. This polling centre is where Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is expected to vote.
9:54 am: Voters at the polling unit of Senator Andy Uba in Ugah, Aguata LGA, are still awaiting the arrival of the electoral officials.
9:50 am: Accreditation and voting have yet to commence at Otolo Ward 2, Umuenem Hall in Nnewi LGA as electoral officials have just arrived at the polling centre.
9:40 am: The Nnobi Road in Nnewi is deserted as residents remain indoors. There is no vehicular movement, and nobody is seen walking on the road.
9:34 am: The first vote is cast at Unit 2, Umueze Isuofia in Aguata LGA.
9:30 am: Professor Charles Soludo is expected to vote at Unit 2, Umueze Isuofia in Aguata LGA. While electorates trooped in early enough, electoral materials arrived at the venue at about 8:40 am.
9:04 am: Voting commences at Unit 10, Amawbia 1, Community Primary School, Amawbia, Awka.
8:31 am: Electoral officials prepare for the exercise at Polling Unit 10, Amawbia I, located within the premises of the Community Primary School, Amawbia in Awka.
8:11 am: At the polling unit of Senator Andy Uba in Ugah, Aguata LGA, electoral officials and security personnel are yet to arrive at the venue of the election.
8:00 am: Anambra election commences.