There was emotional drama at Umudimakasi, Agulu Ward 2, Polling Unit 008, in Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, as a 96-year-old woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Onike, broke down in tears after being stopped from voting.
The nonagenarian, who had come out determined to perform her civic duty, was told she could not vote because she didn’t have a voter’s card.
“I wanted to vote today, but they said I cannot because I don’t have my voter’s card,” she said in a trembling voice. “I came here hoping they would allow me, but they refused.”
Witnesses said Mrs. Onike had arrived early at the polling station, full of enthusiasm, insisting she had voted in past elections.
But officials refused to bend the rules, maintaining that only accredited voters with PVCs could cast their ballots.
“I am 96 years old, and I still want to vote for the good of our people,” she said, her words eliciting sympathy from onlookers who appealed to officials to show empathy toward senior citizens.
The heartbreaking scene left many voters emotional, with some calling for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create special provisions for the elderly in future elections.
