Reports from across the State have it that malfunctioning of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machine marred yesterday’s Anambra governorship election.
Speaking on the malfunctioning of the BVAS machine at Anambra East Council Area at 11:15 in the morning, the State Commissioner for Works, Engineer Marcel Ifejiofor frowned that many of the eligible voters across age brackets who turned out to exercise their franchise bemoaned the process which they adjudged as stressful because they could not be captured since morning.
Commissioner Ifejiofor called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to fix the challenge as many people were unable to be captured on the BVAS machine.
At Ubarunisioye polling unit, Nando in Anambra East Council Area, Oggorchukwu Oranu reports that as at 1:18 in the afternoon, voters could not cast their votes as a result of malfunctioning of BVAS machine.
According to her, most of the voters who came to exercise their franchise were seen sitting down waiting patiently for the machine to work.
Some of them who spoke to the ABS, including Mrs. Chieze Theresa, Josephine Nwokoye, Evangelist Amaka Ibeneme expressed disappointment with the system, calling on INEC to address the issue so they won’t be disenfranchised.
As at 11:50 in the morning at Enugwu-Ukwu Ward one, the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Honourable Dozie Nwankwo, after voting, said in spite of his belief that electronic voting is the best, he is not satisfied with the happenings, and charged INEC to live up to its responsibilities and give the people a free and fair election.
He however hailed the massive turn out of voters, whom he said were discouraged because of the BVAS machine challenges.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, Dr. Uche Nworah said the malfunctioning of INEC BVAS machine is a disservice to the people, and urged the Commission to find other means of ensuring that voters were not denied their rights of choosing who governs them in the next four years.
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