Sporadic gunshots by armed soldiers have caused commotion among voters in Ihiala local government area of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.
Recall that on Sunday, the governorship election in Anambra state was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to violence, with the supplementary election — in Ihiala — holding today. But according to FIJ, the presence of military personnel and sporadic shootings around polling units are scaring voters away.
It was also gathered that soldiers from a patrol van opened fire on commuters hundreds of metres away from the LGA headquarters and one fell.
After moving a short distance, a crowd began to form around the man, prompting the soldiers to return, firing sporadically again and sending residents scampering for security.
Also, prospective voters were made to alight from their vehicles and walk with their hands raised up to full length.
Today’s election will determine the next governor of the state.
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Chukwuma Soludo is widely touted to emerge victorious, as he is comfortably leading.
Anambra has 21 local government areas and elections were held in 20 LGAs over the weekend.
INEC Chief Returning Officer for the election, Prof Florence Obi, had said the Commission was not able to deploy electoral officers to Ihiala due to the volatile security situation in the area.
Prof. Obi had subsequently declared the governorship poll inconclusive and said that a supplementary election would hold in 362 polling units in Ihiala LGA today.
Credit: Politics Nigeria
