Voting has officially begun in the Anambra governorship election as residents head to the polls to choose the next leader of the South-East state.
The exercise kicked off around 8:30 a.m. across the 21 local government areas. Ahead of the commencement, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had deployed election materials to polling units across the state.
By 7:00 a.m., INEC personnel and security operatives were already on the ground, setting up for the day’s exercise. Commercial activities were largely shut down, with shops closed and major roads deserted as residents trooped out to cast their votes. In some neighborhoods, young people turned the empty streets into makeshift football fields, adding a touch of liveliness to the otherwise quiet atmosphere.
At the popular Onitsha Bridge, security agencies cordoned off the area, restricting both vehicular and pedestrian movement. Helicopters patrolled the skies as part of heightened security efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
A total of 16 candidates are contesting for the governorship seat, with over two million registered voters expected to participate in the election.
