#AnambraDecides: Worries Over Voter Apathy As Residents Stay Indoors.
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CONCERNS over voter apathy heightened on the eve of the Anambra State governorship election as residents stayed indoors despite the cancellation of the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
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The IPOB had threatened to lockdown Anambra and other parts of the South-East for six days – including the day of the election – if its detained leader Nnamdi Kanu was not released by the Nigerian government.
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It was widely believed that the planned six-day sit-at-home was aimed at stopping the Anambra governorship poll in line with the declaration by pro-Biafra separatists that the Nigerian government would not be allowed to conduct elections in territories of the defunct Republic of Biafra.
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The sit-at-home order was eventually called off on November 4 – about 48 hours to the election.
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While announcing the cancellation of the order, IPOB urged the people of Anambra to turn out enmasse and vote in the election.
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But The ICIR observed in Awka, Anambra State capital, and other parts of the state that most residents stayed indoors on November 5.
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Only a handful of residents came out of their homes as most of the major streets and roads were empty.
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Although commercial vehicles, including buses and tricycles otherwise known as Keke, plied the roads, few passengers were available.
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Traffic was light in different parts of the state but vehicles were able to move about freely without any hindrance or molestation.
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The ICIR also observed that a handful of shops also opened for business.
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The shops operated freely – there were no reports of any attempt by hoodlums to stop anybody from doing business.
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Residents who ventured out of their houses to attend to different private or commercial engagements also moved about freely.
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But some shops which opened for business closed early due to little or no patronage as most residents remained indoors.
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Heavily armed soldiers and policemen continued to patrol major streets and roads in the state.
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The prevailing situation heightened concerns that voter apathy would mar the governorship poll.
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Further checks by The ICIR revealed that most residents were not aware that the sit-at-home order had been cancelled.