The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded 75.86 percent of polling unit results from the Anambra State governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
A review by DAILY GAZETTE as of 5:10 pm on Saturday showed that results from 4,339 out of 5,720 polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state had been posted on the portal, roughly four hours after voting ended.
The election, which commenced around 8am, was largely peaceful but characterized by low voter turnout and reports of vote-buying.
Incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who is seeking re-election, alleged that some parties were plotting to tamper with the results.
“The only thing we hear that is actually a concern, and we hope won’t happen, is that one party (he laughs) has written results to swap during the collation process,” Soludo said after voting.
“We hear they have even had meetings with INEC not to upload the results so that they can have the opportunity to manipulate them.”
Similarly, Labour Party (LP) chieftain and former presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed concern over electoral irregularities and the persistence of vote-buying.
“By selling your vote, you’re selling away your schools, your hospitals, your jobs, your future,” Obi warned.
“It is very worrisome. In other West African countries where I have observed elections, I didn’t see such practices. This must stop.”
An election observer with the Situation Room, Dimma Nwobi, also reported incidents of vote-buying across some polling centers.
According to INEC, 2,802,790 registered voters were expected to participate in the poll. A total of 16 candidates are contesting, including Soludo (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Paul Chukwuma (YPP), George Moghalu (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor (PDP), among others.
As collation continues, early figures indicate APGA is taking an early lead across several local government areas.
