The restriction of movement imposed by the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the Anambra supplementary governorship election on Saturday was not effective in Idemili North Local Government area as residents operated their business activities.
The restriction was made to allow for peaceful conduct of the poll in the state.
It was, however, observed that most of the markets opened for business while vehicular movements were visible even with the presence of security personnel on the roads.
The election was characterised by low turnout of voters in most of the 160 polling units in the local government area which had the highest units in the rescheduled election.
The materials were, however, ready while the electoral officials in most of the units arrived at their stations early in the morning with joint security operatives on hand to provide adequate security.
There were peace and orderliness during the voters’ accreditation in most of the units.
An INEC official, Mr Edo Kelo, said there was poor turnout in the polling units, but he still expected more people before the close of accreditation at 12.00 p.m.
At Nkpor Uno in Isingwu village, with three polling units of 983 registered voters, only 30 were accredited.
Mr Emeka Ilodiuba, a voter, expressed dissatisfaction with the low turnout of voters, stressing that the withdrawal of some candidates might have caused the situation.
Mrs Victoria Ibenegbu, another voter, expressed happiness about the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
She said it would have been better conducted in the area on Nov. 16 when the polls were suspended by INEC.
At Ifite Agbaja I and Ifite Agbaja II in Abatete with 980 registered voters in Idemili North, many of them were undergoing the accreditation early in the morning.
At Uke, Ideani and Umorji, the materials arrived “timely” and the exercise began immediately.
But at Esther Obiako Estate in Awka South, with 249 registered voters, many complained that their names were missing from the voters’ register.
The polls are being conducted in 210 polling units in 16 out of 21 local government areas of the state.
