Imo governorship elections fraught with violence

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27 April 2011

Imo governorship elections fraught with violence

The governorship election in Imo State was fraught with diverse electoral malpractices, ranging from ballot box snatching, ballot stuffing, thuggery, and outright voters disenfranchisement.

The opposition parties in the state have blamed these electoral malfeasance on the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In Owerri North council area, as at 6.20pm, no election materials have been brought to over five polling centres in the

Okigwe Road

and Orji areas of the council. While there were security agents at the polling units, there were no INEC officials in two of the polling units.

In a polling unit in Ihiagwa, Owerri West council area, voters refused to vote with what they described as ‘fake electoral materials’ brought in after some individuals, claiming to be policemen, took away the original materials and brought a different set after three hours.