The Nigeria Civil Society Election Situation Room observed the supplementary governorship election conducted in 16 Local Government Areas in Anambra State on 30 November 2013 and made observations.
One of the observation was that chairs and tables were not provided in a polling unit.
This was contained in a statement on the 2013 Anambra State governorship supplementary election on Saturday.
The statement read, “It is our overall impression that the elections was peaceful although the election witnessed very low voter turnout.
?Timely distribution of materials and commencement of accreditation The Nigerian Civil Society Election Situation Room notes that election materials were distributed in a timely manner in many polling units in Idemili North, Onitsha North and Onitsha South.
“The Situation Room notes that election officials were deployed in sufficient numbers to the polling units. However in Chukwura Primary School l and School ll PU 006 and 007 and in most polling units, we received reports that chairs and tables were not provided by INEC for Election officials.”
It said reports received by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room from field observers indicated a low voter turnout, for instance in Ifite Agbaja PU 022, Idemili North L.G.A, 980 voters were registered but only 64 voters got accredited and 59 people voted.
It added: “Also in Chukwura Primary School l PU 006, 382 voters were registered and only 24 were accredited. In Inland town PU 007,Onitsha North L.G.A 484 voters were registered and only 34 were accredited. Furthermore, in Okija Hall l and ll Onitsha South LGA, Total registered voters are 818 and 784 while accredited voters were 120 and 84 respectively.
“Officials Our observers noted heavy deployment of security agents in sufficient numbers in most polling units, and that these officers and men conducted themselves in a professional and commendable manner.”
In conclusion, it noted that: “The Election was peaceful, but voter turnout was very low, as low as 5% in several of the polling units that Situation Room observed. With only a few polling units set to vote today, it is understandable why the usual problems of logistics was limited in today’s poll.”
