A 96-year-old woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Onike, has expressed deep frustration after she was prevented from voting at her polling unit in Anambra State on Saturday.
Speaking with journalists at Umudimakasi, Agulu Ward 2, Polling Unit 008, in Aniocha LGA, Mrs. Onike, visibly emotional, said she had looked forward to participating in the governorship election but was denied the opportunity because she did not possess a voter’s card.
“I wanted to vote today, but they said I cannot because I don’t have my voter’s card,” she lamented. “I came here hoping they would allow me, but they refused.”
Residents at the polling centre watched as the elderly woman, who insisted she had voted in previous elections, broke down in tears after officials insisted that only accredited voters with permanent voter cards (PVCs) would be permitted to cast their ballots.
Mrs. Onike said she came early to the polling unit despite her age, determined to contribute to the electoral process.
“I am 96 years old, and I still want to vote for the good of our people,” she said. Her situation sparked sympathy among voters and observers present at the polling centre, many of whom appealed to officials to treat elderly citizens with understanding, even though the law requires proper identification and accreditation before voting.
As Anambra residents went to the polls to decide the future leadership of the state, Mrs. Onike’s experience highlighted the challenges faced by elderly citizens who are eager to participate in elections but are hindered by documentation issues.