Anambra 2025: 96-Year-Old Woman Breaks Down in Tears After Being Denied Right to Vote

Anambra 2025: 96-Year-Old Woman Breaks Down in Tears After Being Denied Right to Vote

A 96-year-old woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Onike, was reduced to tears on Saturday after officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prevented her from voting at Umudim Akasi Polling Unit 019, Agulu Ward 8, in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Onike, who arrived determined to cast her ballot in the Anambra governorship election, was informed that she could not take part in the voting exercise because she did not have a valid voter card.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the elderly woman expressed shock and pain over the development, stating that she had consistently voted at the same polling unit in previous elections.

“I have been voting at this polling unit. I voted in the last election, but the INEC officials said I have no valid voter card,” she lamented in Igbo.

The visibly emotional woman explained that her children, who could have assisted her in resolving the issue, live outside the state, leaving her to navigate the process alone.

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“My children are outside the state, 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 said.

NAN reports that the polling unit recorded a high turnout, with 830 registered voters on the list.

The incident has sparked discussion at the polling center, with some voters calling for more flexible accommodation for elderly voters who have consistently participated in previous elections but face documentation challenges.