INEC had earlier assured eligible voters participating in the Anambra governorship poll that their votes would count.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Voters in Anambra State have begun to cast their votes for candidates of their choice in the ongoing off-cycle election in their respective polling units.
Confirming the development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) posted an update from some polling units in the Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.
The post reads, “Voting has commenced at RA 10: Enugwu Ukwu II, PU 003 & PU 004, Njikoka LGA”.
The electoral body had earlier assured eligible voters participating in the election that their votes will count.
“Be counted, be heard. Step out and vote peacefully. Every vote must count”, INEC wrote.
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The commission further warned against vote selling, saying, “your vote is not for sale.”
Prior to this, some media outfits had reported that INEC officials were yet to be seen at some polling units in Awka as of 8:30 a.m.
Over two million voters are expected to vote in the 5,720 polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
According to INEC, sixteen candidates have been cleared by the electoral umpire to participate in this year’s election.
They include: Onyeeze Chidi (A), Nweke Ezechukwu Japhet (AA), Ifemeludike Chioma Grace (AAC), Nwosu Chima John (ADC), Ukachukwu Nicholas (APC), Soludo Charles (APGA), Otti Cyprian Echezona (APM), Nweke Christopher Chukwudubem (APP), Okeke Chika Jerry (BP), Moghalu George (LP), Onyejgbu Geoffrey (NNPP), Ndidi Christy Olieh (NRM), Ezenwafor Jude (PDP), Chukwurah Vincent (SDP), Chukwuma Paul Chukwuka (YPP), and Ugwoji Uchenna (ZLP).
