Elderly Voter's Emotional Distress Highlights Election Day Concerns
A 96-year-old woman experienced emotional distress during the Anambra State governorship election after being prevented from casting her vote due to not possessing a valid voter's card. The incident occurred at Umudimakasi, Agulu Ward 2, Polling Unit 008, in Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mrs. Elizabeth Onike, the elderly voter, arrived early at the polling unit with hopes of participating in the democratic process but was turned away by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to established electoral guidelines, possession of a valid voter's card remains mandatory for all voters in Nigerian elections.
Voter's Emotional Appeal and Election Observers' Concerns
The nonagenarian expressed her disappointment, stating: "I wanted to vote today, but they said I cannot because I don't have my voter's card. I came here hoping they would allow me, but they refused. I am 96 years old, and I still want to vote for the good of our people."
Meanwhile, election observers raised additional concerns about the electoral process. Dimma Nwobi, a member of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room monitoring the election, alleged instances of vote buying during the exercise. These allegations were shared through a video posted on social media platform X by Channels Newspaper.
Public Reaction and Electoral Integrity Questions
The incident and accompanying allegations sparked significant public reaction across social media platforms:
- @kenniilesanmi demanded concrete evidence: "We need video evidences of the vote buying, not just words of mouth o."
- @DestinyDsty called for decisive action: "Given this evidence, I call on @inecnigeria to cancel the results from that polling unit and disqualify the political parties involved."
- @Unbendable_Ben highlighted broader issues: "There won't be buyers if there's no seller. There is Political Apathy in Nigeria and it's getting out of hand."
- @henryonyegbule expressed frustration: "Nigeria and INEC cannot sort out credible elections in a single state in 2025. We are a doomed country."
The emotional scene involving the elderly voter and the subsequent allegations have raised important questions about electoral accessibility and integrity in Nigeria's democratic process. The incident occurred against the backdrop of earlier concerns raised by the APC candidate about vote buying in the same election.
The combination of an elderly citizen being denied her voting rights and allegations of electoral malpractice has cast a shadow over the Anambra State governorship election, prompting calls for electoral reforms and improved voter education programs.
