LIVE UPDATES: Anambra Governorship Election – 18 Candidates In Race To Succeed Obiano

It’s election day in Anambra State.

Welcome to our live coverage of the poll which will determine who succeeds Governor Willie Obiano as the leader of the state.

Eighteen political parties and candidates are in the governorship race and voting is expected to take place across more than 5,000 polling units spread across the 21 local governments of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said ahead of the election that there are 2.5 million registered voters and 5,720 polling units in the state but there will be no voting in 86 of them because there are no registered voters there.

Channels TV is on the ground in the state to bring you updates as the election progresses.

You can catch the latest updates by refreshing this page. You can also watch our live coverage on TV via DSTV – Channel 420, or in the UK on Sky channel 518. You can also follow the coverage on our livestreams on YouTube or Facebook.

11:38 am: At the polling unit 005 located on the premises of the Central School in Isuofia, the turnout is impressive, and voters are desirous to cast their votes.

But the digital capturing device is having a problem and only one person has been able to vote in the election.

A crowd of voters at the polling unit.

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10:58 am: The problem with the bimodal verification device is resolved at Unit 2, Umueze Isuofia in Aguata LGA. Concession is given to the elderly and pregnant women.

10:42 am: Voting is ongoing at the polling unit of Senator Andy Uba in Ugah, Aguata LGA.

A man is about to cast his vote at the polling unit.

10:34 am: Accreditation and voting are ongoing at polling units 10,11,12,13 and 15 located at the Social Center in Amuwo village, Amesi in Aguata LGA. Mr Valentine Ozigbo is expected to vote at one of the polling units.

An elderly man casts his vote at one of the polling units.

10:12 am: At Unit 2, Umueze Isuofia in Aguata LGA, there’s been a problem with the bimodal verification device as the major functions of the device are not working.

These include thumbprint recognition and facial capturing. As of 9:56am, only one of the 717 people registered has been captured and was able to vote. Voters are becoming restless, saying they are already losing confidence in the process.

A crowd of stranded voters at the polling centre.

10:01 am: Electoral officials have just arrived at the polling unit of Senator Andy Uba in Ugah, Aguata LGA.

Electoral officials getting prepared for the exercise.

9:58 am: Electoral officials have just arrived at Otolo Ward 2, Nnofor Hall, Nnewi North LGA. This polling centre is where Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is expected to vote.

Electoral officials getting prepared for the exercise at Otolo Ward 2, Nnofor Hall, Nnewi North LGA.

9:54 am: Voters at the polling unit of Senator Andy Uba in Ugah, Aguata LGA, are still awaiting the arrival of the electoral officials.

However, this man, a civil servant, says he has nothing to worry about as that has always been the situation in the past.

This man says the situation is similar to what happened in past elections.

9:50 am: Accreditation and voting have yet to commence at Otolo Ward 2, Umuenem Hall in Nnewi LGA as electoral officials have just arrived at the polling centre.

According to them, the late arrival is due to the delay in the distribution of materials from the RAC centre at Nnewi High school.

Electoral officials have just arrived at the venue of the election.

9:40 am: The Nnobi Road in Nnewi is deserted as residents remain indoors. There is no vehicular movement, and nobody is seen walking on the road.

9:34 am: The first vote is cast at Unit 2, Umueze Isuofia in Aguata LGA.

The first voter is accredited before casting his ballot at this polling unit.

9:30 am: Professor Charles Soludo is expected to vote at Unit 2, Umueze Isuofia in Aguata LGA. While electorates trooped in early enough, electoral materials arrived at the venue at about 8:40 am.

No security official was present at the venue as of the time. Accreditation exercise using the new technology of the bimodal verification system seems cumbersome as it takes more than five minutes for a voter to get accredited.

Voters lament that this will negatively affect the speed of the exercise as the closing time for voting is 2:30 pm.

Electoral Officials preparing for the election.

VIDEOS

9:04 am: Voting commences at Unit 10, Amawbia 1, Community Primary School, Amawbia, Awka.

8:31 am: Electoral officials prepare for the exercise at Polling Unit 10, Amawbia I, located within the premises of the Community Primary School, Amawbia in Awka.

8:20 am: Military personnel mount a checkpoint along the Ozubulu Road in Nnewi.

Patrol vehicles of the Nigerian Army are seen at a military checkpoint along the Ozubulu Road in Nnewi.

A soldier stops a car approaching a checkpoint in Nnewi.

8:11 am: At the polling unit of Senator Andy Uba in Ugah, Aguata LGA, electoral officials and security personnel are yet to arrive at the venue of the election.

People were so scared that they took to their heels at the sight of the vehicle conveying Channels Television crew.

Senator Andy Uba is expected to cast his vote here.

7:45 am: At Nnewi North Local Government Area, it’s a quiet morning as the electorate are still enjoying the comfort of their beds while the streets are deserted.

However, a few residents are seen at the front of their houses in clusters while security operatives drive through the streets.