#AnambraDecides: I was Paid to Vote, Says First-Time Voter Chinyere

#AnambraDecides: I was Paid to Vote, Says First-Time Voter Chinyere

From JOEL OLADELE, Nteje

A 21-year-old first-time voter, Chinyere Aniwetalu, on Saturday admitted that she was paid to vote at Nteje Ward 1, Amuda Village Square Polling Unit 12, during the Anambra governorship election.

Chinyere, who spoke in Igbo language, confirmed receiving money but declined to disclose how much or who paid her.

“I was paid to vote,” she said, smiling, but quickly added that she was happy to finally participate in an election after years of waiting to reach voting age.

She explained that she could not vote in the 2023 general election because she did not have a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) then.

“I just got my PVC this year, and I’m happy to use it today,” she said.

At the polling unit, most voting had been completed as of mid-day, with several voters seen loitering around waiting for the sorting of ballots.

INEC officials at the centre told journalists that the process started early at about 8:00 a.m. and had been smooth so far, though they were still expecting more voters to turn up before the close of polls.