INEC Official Faints In Anambra Community

An Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presiding officer fainted during the Anambra Governorship election yesterday.

The incident occurred at polling unit 005 in Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka local government area.

The presiding officer, Miss Blessing Egoigwe, fainted at the heat of complaints by thick crowd and confusion as a result of malfunctioning of BVAS.

She was rushed to undisclosed hospital for medical attention.

More than 470 voters were denied the right to cast their votes  at Enugwu-Ukwu Community ward 2 polling unit 005 in Njikoka local government area.

The malfunctioning of the BVAS and difficulty of  the machine to recognise cards of newly registered voters caused the uproar.

Miss Blessing Okoye, 18 year old and first time voter, said she was denied the opportunity due to lack of functional BVAS that failed to capture her fingerprint.

Okoye said she was pained over the challenge and felt demoralised in the process and appealed to the electoral body to improve the system.

“My hope to vote to a candidate of my choice was dashed by INEC today.

Mrs Ifeoma Iloeze,a 55 year  voter said she was unable to vote after waiting since morning till this evening 6: 29 p.m due to the BVAS failed to capture my face.

Iloeze said the experience was painful and advised that alternative way of voting should be in place in the next election as it was sad to be denied the right to vote.

INEC technician was alerted on the situation in the area and he visited the polling unit, but little improvement was made.

Names of some dead voters were said to have been seen on the list of registered voters posted.