How Abia LG Election Was Delayed By Missing Materials, Officials

The Local Government Elections in Abia State faced significant problems due to the lack of electoral materials and officials, leading to delays and frustration for voters in various local government areas.

Reports from the News Agency of Nigeria indicated that, despite the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission’s (ABSIEC) schedule stating that materials would arrive at polling units by 7 a.m., many locations had not received any materials or officials by 11 a.m.

In areas such as Umuahia South, Osisioma, Aba North, and Aba South, polling units were visited by reporters who found no electoral materials or officials present. Instead, ad hoc staff were seen idling at the local government headquarters, waiting for supplies to arrive.

Although there were only a few prospective voters present, those who were waiting hoped that the materials would eventually come. However, some expressed their disinterest in voting due to past disappointments regarding election transparency.

Mrs. Joy Eze, a hairdresser, expressed her frustration with the delays, saying she was eager to vote for her preferred candidates. In contrast, Mrs. Onyinyechi Ishmael dismissed the election process as pointless, stating that her past experiences showed that votes often do not count.

In Aba, Collins Ogbonna, a resident of Ward 3, reported arriving at his polling unit by 8 a.m. only to find it deserted by election officials. He suggested that the low voter turnout might be due to voter apathy and concerns about security.

Despite the complaints, Dr. Kelechukwu Okere, ABSIEC’s Commissioner for Voter Education and Enlightenment, denied these reports, labeling them as “pure falsehood.” He insisted that the commission had made thorough arrangements to ensure the timely distribution of materials and personnel.

In Osisioma LGA, Mr. Aguwa, the Deputy Chairmanship candidate for the Zenith Labour Party, confirmed that election materials had arrived at the council headquarters but explained that logistical challenges caused the delay in distribution. He mentioned that the large number of polling units in the LGA contributed to the slow start.

As the election day progressed, frustrations continued to rise among residents of Abia. Some remained hopeful for better organization in future elections, while others felt disillusioned by the evident logistical failures.

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