Defiance Marks Anambra Election Day Despite Police Restrictions
Residents and commercial vehicle operators across Awka and Onitsha in Anambra State openly defied the movement restriction order imposed by the state police command on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The restriction, which was scheduled to take effect from midnight until 6:00 p.m., aimed to control movement on all roads within the state, including interstate highways.
The police directive faced significant resistance from the public as commercial vehicles were observed operating freely in various parts of Awka, the state capital. Commuters continued boarding these vehicles without hindrance, demonstrating widespread non-compliance with the security measure.
Security Presence and Incident at Aroma Junction
Despite the public defiance, security personnel maintained a visible presence at strategic locations across the state. Officers were stationed at popular spots including Nkpor road and other key junctions throughout Awka.
A notable incident occurred at Aroma junction in Awka where a tricycle operator collided with a police van while attempting to escape arrest. The confrontation highlighted the tensions between law enforcement and those resisting the movement restrictions.
The same pattern of defiance was observed from Ogidi Local Government Area to Nkpor junction, indicating that the resistance to the movement ban was widespread rather than isolated to specific areas.
INEC Preparations and Voting Commencement
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faced challenges with punctuality at several polling units in both Awka and Onitsha. Officials arrived later than scheduled at multiple locations, including Agwuoka polling unit 008 where they were dropped at their duty posts at exactly 8:40 a.m.
Similarly, at Aroma polling unit 022, INEC officials were still setting up their station around the same time. The late arrivals potentially affected the timely commencement of voting procedures.
However, not all polling units experienced delays. At Amawbia 02, Polling Unit 3 located at Central School 111 in Awka South, officials and materials were fully prepared as early as 8:19 a.m., awaiting the official start of voting at 8:30 a.m.
Mrs Mary Fajoye, an INEC official monitoring the election in Awka South Local Government Area, confirmed that both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials had been dispatched from the INEC office in the council area since the previous day. She acknowledged initial difficulties in locating certain registration areas but noted the issues had been resolved.
At Polling Unit 3, the Presiding Officer Mr Mark Kalu addressed voters about the election procedures and readiness. Kalu emphasized the need for decorum and informed attendees that priority would be given to albinos, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and elderly voters.
As reporting concluded, voter accreditation had already commenced at Eze Chima Primary School on Awka Road, marking the beginning of the electoral process despite the earlier challenges with movement restrictions and INEC preparations.
