Elizabeth Onike, a 96-year-old woman, broke down in tears on Saturday after electoral officers told her she could not vote in the governorship election in Anambra state.
The incident happened at Umudim Akasi polling unit 019, Agulu II, Ward 8, in Anaocha LGA of the state.
The polling unit, which recorded a large turnout, has a total of 830 registered voters.
Onike had joined other residents in the queue to vote when officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) informed her that her voter’s card was invalid.
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The presiding officer said the card could not be recognised for accreditation, leaving the elderly woman visibly distraught.
Onike insisted she had been voting at the same polling unit for years with the same card.
“I have been voting at this polling unit. I voted in the last election, but the INEC officials said I have no valid voter’s card,” she said in Igbo.
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Onike lamented that she would not be able to take part in choosing the next governor of her state.
“My children are outside, and none is at home with me. I am pained that I am not going to vote in this election to determine who will be my next governor,” she added.
