RESULT COLLATION IN PROGRESS ACROSS IMO

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

Voting in Saturday’s governorship election in Imo State has ended while sorting and collation of results are in progress at designated centers across the state.

At Union Primary School Mgbirichi in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area sorting and counting of votes ended at about three o’clock in the afternoon.

Although there have been pockets of violence reported in some polling units and alleged non conduct of election in many areas, the exercise has been relatively peaceful.  

However, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity INEC, Imo State, Mrs. Emmanuella Opara, has denied knowledge of non conduct of elections, especially in the troubled areas of Orsu and Orlu Local Government Areas.

There was heavy presence of the military and other security personnel at strategic positions around the state to forestall any breach.

The November 11 election in Imo State has held against all odds.

While some believed that the strike by a faction of the organized labour, which had put the state in blackout for close to two weeks now and shutting down of the airspace by aviation workers would mar the election, others were optimistic that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) would not waver on its decision to conduct the exercise.

There was a delay in the commencement of voting across the state as casting of ballots did not take-off until after 9am.    

While there was impressive turnout of voters in some areas, especially where the candidates come from, there was low turnout in other places, especially Orsu, Orlu, Okigwe, Oru East and West Local Government Areas, where there are security concerns.

Accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) appeared seamless as no case of malfunctioning of the device was recorded in the areas visited.

An Octogenarian, Adiewere Uzoka, who voted at Oguta Town School in Oguta Local Government areta, Mrs. Jibrila Nwokocha from same Oguta and Mr. Emeka Agbo at Otulu booth 002 in Oru West LGA commended INEC for its efforts so far but called on the commission to maintain neutrality till the end of the process.

However there was a heated argument at Egbe Town School, Egbuoma ward in Oguta local government area after the presiding officer of polling units 002, 003, 004, 009 and 015, Miss Sandra Adimole reported that the result sheets meant for the booths had been taken away by unidentified men.

Agent of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Arinze Chigbo, and that of Labour Party Sunday Eze, wondered why the presiding officer did not raise any alarm instead she went ahead with the election.

Meanwhile the Imo State Governor, Chief Hope Uzodimma, had after voting in his Omuma village in Oru East Local Government Area, commended both INEC and security agencies for ensuring a hitch-free outing.

Governor Uzodimma described the turnout as an improvement of what was recorded during the house of assembly election in the state.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU