Stakeholders participating in the ongoing governorship election in Anambra State have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission over the early arrival of election materials as well as the smooth and peaceful conduct of voting process in various polling units across the state.

The stakeholders spoke in separate interviews at different polling centres in Awka South and Njikoka Local Government Areas of the state.

They stated that the electoral body had shown a marked improvement in its operations compared with previous elections.

Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chukwuma Okoye, was among those who expressed satisfaction with the poll conduct, stated “the election today was smoother than previous ones.’’

Mr Okoye said, “I was here when INEC officials arrived. We checked the materials, including BVAS, ballot papers and result sheets and they were all intact.’’

Mr Okoye also commended security agents and the peaceful conduct of the electorate so far.

He urged INEC to sustain the tempo, “because with this, the 2027 general elections will not only be peaceful but free and fair.”

At Polling Unit 002, Umueke Ile Hall 11 in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area, a community leader, Chukwuemeka Orjiakor, lauded INEC officials’ timely arrival for the election.

“I want to appreciate INEC for now. The presiding officers arrived early enough than previous elections, when they arrived late with materials. This is an improvement on the part of the commission and should be sustained in future elections. This is what Nigerians crave for; a situation where people will perform their civic responsibility in a free, fair and credible process and where only those wanted by the people are elected,” he said.

A former member of House of Representatives, Ferdinand Nwankwo, who voted at Polling Unit 003, Enugwu Ukwu I in the Njikoka Local Government Area at about 9:50 a.m., expressed satisfaction with the voting process.

Mr Nwankwo stated, “I give INEC kudos. They have improved tremendously. From what I have seen today in my polling unit, they (INEC) are doing well, but I have to go round to listen to what others are saying,” Nwankwo, who represented Njikoka, Dunukofia, Anaocha Federal Constituency.’’

He, however, expressed the confidence that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate and governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, would emerge victorious at the end of the exercise.

(NAN)