Some voters in Anambra and Enugu states expressed dismay over the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and materials in some parts of the South East zone.
In Anambra, residents at Umunze, Isulo, and Ihite areas in Orumba South Local Government Area, on Saturday, trooped out to exercise their civic responsibility at the various polling units.
However, as of 10:30 am, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had yet to arrive the polling units.
At PU 001 in Oganiru Primary school, PU 002 in Community Primary school, PU 004 in Igwebike Primary school, and PU 005 in Oruro Primary school, all in Ward 3, Umunze, INEC officials arrived late.
Also, at Ihite Ward 001, which had PU 001 in Community Primary School, Ihite ,and PU 006 in Uzoezie square Ihite, there were no INEC officials in the morning hours.
At PU 009 in Mbara Onyekamma square, PU 009 in Central School and PU 010 in National Open University centre, all in Isulo ward, no INEC officials were in sight.
However, some of the residents who spoke to NAN while awaiting the arrival of the INEC personnel said they were patient and determined to cast their votes.
A retiree at PU 001 in Oganiru Primary school, Mr. Cajetan Okeke, said the election was a serious business to him, hence he decided to wait patiently for INEC officials to arrive.
“I arrived in Anambra on Thursday from Lagos to ensure I cast my vote. That is how important this election is to me.
“With the turnout here, you can see that our people are also eager to cast their votes.So, we will wait for INEC officials,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs Ifeoma Uzor, a trader at PU 006 in Uzoezie Square Ihite, told NAN that the election was an opportunity to elect leaders who would make the country better.
“Myself, husband and two children came out here at 7.30.a.m. to vote. We want a better Nigeria, and the only way we can achieve that is by voting for credible leaders.
“I do not know why INEC officials are not here yet, but we are ready and eager to cast our votes no matter the time they arrive. We are going to wait,” she said.
Similarly, at polling unit 014 in Community High School as well as PU 017 in Uba Hall, all in Ward 001, Nanka in Orumba North LGA, there was large turn out of voters, as the electorate await INEC officials.
NAN check at PU 002 Ward 001 in Ekwulu village hall, as well as PUs 004, 005, 006, and 007, all in Umuona in Aguata LGA INEC officials were also yet to arrive.
Meanwhile, security agents were seen at some of the polling units to ensure order.
Electorate in Enugu East LGA expressed dismay over the delay in arrival of voting materials and the INEC officials.
Some of the voters, who spoke to NAN, said the materials arrived late, saying that it was not a good impression from the electoral body.
Mr Ekenechukwu Ogbuke from Umuchigbo ward said that people had been at the venue since 7.30am waiting for the voting to commence.
“It is unfortunate that INECofficialsl arrived here some minutes to 11am while people had been here for hours.
“We are here to excercise our franchise and to ensure that our vote count,” he said.
At Umuenwene ward, Nike town hall one, Ms Ogochukwu Arinze said that INEC official arrived the centre by some minutes after 10 am.
She noted that people had been at the venue even before she came at 9am and expressed joy over the turnout of electorate.
“I am happy that people came out for this election, which showed that we are ready to take responsibility this time around, compared to the years past,” Arinze said.
There were large turnout of voters at Christ Church, Uwani, Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu and Zik Avenue Primary School, Idaw River Primary, Saint Mary Catholic and amongst othere determined to cast their votes.
The security personnel were already on ground to monitor the exercise while Priests, Rev. Sisters, youths, old men, and women were seen ready and patiently waiting to cast their votes.
At Christ Church, Uwani, INEC arrived at 11am, but the accreditation did not commence as they were currently sorting the ballot papers and other election materials.
Idaw River, Zik Avenue Primary schools, Saint Mary Catholic, Uwani, Bigars Memorial Seminary, Enugu, election materials were yet to arrive as at 11.30 am.
– NAN