Anambra supplementary election: Group blames INEC for voter apathy

There was low voter turnout in the supplementary poll.

The Campaign for Democracy, a political pressure group, has blamed INEC for the low turn-out of voters in the Anambra supplementary election on Saturday.

The Chairman of the organization in the South-East Region, Uzor Uzor, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Onitsha that the commission did not carry-out massive awareness campaign in the areas affected by the election.

“It is unfortunate that most residents of Onitsha South, especially in Fegge, just knew about it on Saturday when they saw election materials, INEC officials and security agencies in their neighbourhood.

“They should have been informed over and over again before the election on the need to cancel their various engagements and attend the exercise.

“I even learnt that some of the people were not told or made to know that there will be a fresh election in their units due to some irregularities.

“Some believed the story making the rounds in the state that some political parties had boycotted the election,’’ he said.

Mr. Uzor also lamented the excessive number of security personnel in the areas affected by the supplementary poll.

“Election is a civil exercise. The heavy presence of security men could have given the impression that all is not well in the minds of the residents of the areas affected,’’ he said.

The chairman, however, lauded INEC and its staff for living up to the expectations in the conduct of the election.

“INEC materials and staff arrived very early while the exercise commenced on time, which had been welcomed by all.

“And I must confess that we experienced a very peaceful conduct today and I wish Nigerians will continue to conduct and comport themselves in this manner always,’’ Mr. Uzor added.

(NAN)