In a surprising turn of events during the Anambra Local Government election, traders across the state defied the official restriction order to keep their businesses open.
Despite the state government’s mandate for a temporary closure of markets to facilitate voter participation, many traders continued their activities, citing economic concerns.
A local fruit vendor, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed her disinterest in the election, stating, “I was not even aware of today’s election, no campaign whatsoever, and I need to sell my fruits because I don’t want to run into loss.”
This sentiment was shared by many small business owners who noted a lack of visible election campaigns and information leading up to the vote
Several traders emphasized that their livelihood depends on daily sales, and halting business, even for a day, could result in significant financial setbacks.
As polling units across the state saw fewer voters than anticipated, the bustling markets painted a different picture.
Many questioned the government's strategy in handling voter awareness and whether economic realities should have been considered when imposing restrictions.
The authorities, however, have maintained that civic duty should take precedence on election days, emphasizing the importance of local governance and representation.
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politics