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February 6, 2010:
8.00 AM: Voters begin to line up at polling stations across Anambra State. Old men and women, young boys and girls all loiter about, waiting.
An ireporter files his first report out of Awka.
9.00AM: Few police officers show up at polling stations.
Roman Catholic men and women in rural areas come out in groups to vote for Peter Obi.
12.00 Noon: No election material is seen at polling stations. In some places, INEC officials have not even shown up. Voters get tired of telling stories.
An ireporter files an identical and frustrating report from Nnewi.
Dr. Chris Ngige heads for his stronghold, Idemili North and South Local Government Areas.
Most voters make the decision to go home and eat lunch. They keep an ear open to know when voting begins.
Governor Peter Obi tells a press group traveling with him that the election is not taking place anywhere.
3:00 PM: News filters in that some polling materials have arrived at some polling stations. Few voters still determined to vote step out. They find out that one-third of the polling stations are still not open. No INEC officials. In some stations INEC is there but there are no voting materials. Where voting is taking place, the line is long.
An ireporter in Onitsha files a depressing report about the conduct of elections.
Andy Uba is holed up in his home. He is on the phone with Maurice Iwu. The champagne bottle in his hand is half-empty.
Dr. Chris Ngige calls a press conference. He complains that his name is not on some ballot papers he has seen.
Mrs. Uche Ekwunife’s convoy is runoff the road by gangs carrying voting materials to Awka.
Police intercepts a car stuffed with ballots.
7.00pm: Polling booths close in Anambra state.
Andy Uba declares the election a success.
Chukwuma Soludo sings praises to democracy.
Reporters file reports saying there is tension across the state. Voters head to beer parlors to drink palm wine and lament about how nothing has changed since the last election. “It is even worse than the last one,” one of them says.
Sunday, February 7, 2010: INEC announces the winner. It is Dr. Chief Chukwuma Soludo of the PDP. He won 60% of the votes cast. INEC lauds the Anambra voters for coming out in large numbers to participate in the most sacred act of democracy. According to the NTA news monitored in Abuja, 89% of registered voters did cast their votes. The Daily Independent newspaper reports that despite a few polling stations that experienced delays in receiving materials, the exercise was a resounding success.
“Once again,” Maurice Iwu says in a press conference carried live by AIT, “we have shown Africa how a model election is organized. I hope electoral authorities in America, Ghana and Britain are watching and learning.”
Andy Uba misses the press conference. He is in Okija collecting his refund.
Dr. Ngige misses the press conference. He is in Alor looking for his passport to see when his American visa will expire.
Mrs. Uche Ekwunife misses the press conference. She is in a first class flight with Orji Uzor Kalu heading to Abuja.
Peter Obi misses the press conference. He is receiving Holy Communion from his Bishop.
Anambra voters miss the press conference. They are in church praying for the Second Coming of Christ.
The Appeal Court Judges in Enugu watch the press conference. They salivate over the Ghana-must-go bags heading their way.
