The people of Anambra State on Saturday went to various polling units and centres to cast their votes to elect a new set of Mayors who will take charge of affairs in the 21 local government areas of the state.

The exercise began at about 8:20am in most polling units and centres visited, though with glaring evidence of voter apathy, late arrival of voting materials and confusion in some areas.

Contrary to what used to characterise most elections, voters shunned the process, as visits to voting centres showed the absence of the usual large presence of voters at the designated voting booths and centres.

Checks showed that major opposition political parties had earlier declared their resolve not to participate in the process, citing that it is solely an affair of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led government of Prof Charles Soludo.

Investigations revealed that the opposition parties, true to their decision, stayed away from the contest to elect new Mayors into the 21 LGAs in the state.

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) is the only political party that fielded a chairmanship candidate in Anambra East LGA of the state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) shunned Saturday’s exercise.

There was a heavy presence of armed security men stationed at various strategic locations to ensure orderliness and a peaceful exercise across the state.

Some of the areas monitored during the election included Awka South LGA, Dunukofia, parts of Awka North LGA, Enugwu Ukwu community in Njikoka LGA, Onitsha South and Idemili North, where there was an appreciable number of voters turnout.

Other areas visited showed voter apathy, as people stayed indoors while the exercise lasted.

Businesses, including some filling stations, were under lock and key, while markets, motor parks and other areas remained shut.

However, in Anambra East LGA, there were reports of gunshots at Otuocha, the council headquarters, over the distribution of election materials for the polls.

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) had alleged that its agents and supporters were not allowed to freely participate in the election, alleging manipulation of the process in favour of APGA.

Mr Charles Ifediora, the YPP local government agent, alleged that one of its members was hit by a gunshot and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

He also alleged that operatives of the state-owned Agunaechebe and Udo Ga-achi were mobilised by the state government to ensure that the opposition did not participate in the election.

In addition, he disclosed that the YPP presented candidates for all 15 councillorship positions in the local government, with 241 polling units.

The YPP agent accused the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) of allegedly not being independent and wondered how election result sheets would be released to APGA.

“The situation is appalling. The election was scheduled to take place today, and when our people assembled as planned, all my agents were not allowed. There were several gunshots and one of our party members, a lady, was shot and taken to the hospital,” he said.

Attempts to get the reactions of officials of the ANSIEC and the state government as of the time of this report failed, as the election was still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, has commended the impressive turnout of voters in Idemili North Local Government Area during the local government elections.

Dr Mefor, who spoke with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Eke Abatete Community Hall, which serves as the central voting and ward collation centre for Abatete, noted that although there are other polling units in the area, the Civic Centre remains the hub for all electoral activities in Abatete.

He said the affirmation voting took place in 20 LGAs where APGA candidates are running unopposed, except in Anambra East LGA, where the Young Progressives Party (YPP) is also fielding a candidate.

“In Idemili North, APGA is running unopposed both for the position of Local Government Chairman, now referred to as Mayor, and for Councilors,” he said.

The commissioner explained that despite APGA running unopposed, the Electoral Act requires an affirmative vote for validation.

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“The law requires two-thirds of the votes cast to be ‘Yes’ votes for the sole candidate to be validly elected. That is why the election is being taken with all seriousness, to ensure full compliance with the Electoral Act,” he said.

Dr Mefor said he was impressed by the large turnout in Idemili North.

“I must commend the people of Idemili North for turning out in large numbers. Despite the fact that our candidate is running unopposed, they came out to show faith in the process and to give a fresh vote of confidence to the APGA candidate, who is also the incumbent Mayor of Idemili North, Chief Stanley Nkwoka,” adding that similar enthusiasm was observed in other wards visited earlier, including Eziowelle.

Also, the Collation Officer at the centre, Uchenna Nwume, said voting commenced at about 10am and was scheduled to end by 2:00pm.

She confirmed that there was an impressive turnout of voters at the venue.