Mr Valentine Ayika, former Anambra State House of Assembly member has described the just concluded House of Assembly elections in the state as a black day for democracy.

Ayida made the claim in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Enugu-Ukwu Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of the State.

“The election was characterised by highest bidder in buying and selling of votes with lots of material inducement freely happening within the voting areas,’’ he said.

Ayika said that it was unfortunate that most politicians still engaged in vote buying in spite of all the electoral education condemning the act as counterproductive to the development of democracy in the nation.

He said that the House of Assembly elections in the state was characterised by voter apathy because of the events that played out after the general elections of Feb. 23, adding that a total overhauling of the country’s electoral process was needed if the process would be effective in bringing the right leaders.

He said that the new electoral reform bill needed to be signed into law where the electoral process from the point of accreditation would be monitored up to the point of actual voting.

“I am looking forward to great reforms in our political map where people with credibility, not money bags will be in the helm of affairs in the country,” he said.

Ayika was elected in the just concluded general election  of Feb. 23 as the Federal lawmaker to representing Njikoka Anaocha and Dunkofia Federal Constituency. (NAN)