The Anambra Election Statement Hub, a coalition of civil society organisations monitoring the state’s 2025 governorship election, has recommended the comparatively peaceable conduct of the ballot however expressed concern over “widespread vote shopping for, low voter turnout and chronic logistical challenges.”
In a joint assertion despatched to PREMIUM TIMES, the hub acknowledged that, regardless of early indicators of enchancment in election logistics and professionalism amongst officers, incidents of monetary inducement of voters and procedural inconsistencies proceed to undermine Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
The remark hub, comprising Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, Worldwide Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Nigeria Ladies Belief Fund (NWTF), ElectHER, and TAF Africa, deployed 711 observers throughout the 21 native authorities areas of the state.
Every organisation monitored particular thematic areas, together with election integrity, inclusivity, gender participation, media security, and election safety.
Peaceable however low turnout
The hub famous that voting throughout Anambra was largely peaceable, with election officers and safety personnel demonstrating professionalism and sufficient understanding of electoral procedures.
Nevertheless, it reported low voter turnout in a number of LGAs, a scenario it mentioned mirrored the voter apathy noticed within the buildup to the election.
“Whereas it’s too untimely to offer precise turnout charges, preliminary observations from companions point out low voter turnout throughout a number of LGAs,” the assertion famous, including that the apathy “seems to have manifested into low participation on election day.”
Improved logistics, late begin in some areas
The observers acknowledged a marked enchancment within the deployment of election supplies and personnel in comparison with earlier elections.
By 7:30 a.m., INEC officers had arrived at 49 per cent of polling items, an enchancment from 28 per cent in 2021 and 17 per cent in 2017, the observers famous, elevating issues that lower than half have been operational on the official begin time.
Important supplies, such because the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the Register of Voters, and voting cubicles, have been out there in practically all polling items noticed. Nonetheless, instruments designed to reinforce participation for Individuals with Disabilities (PWDs) have been lacking in some areas, with Type EC 40H and PWD Posters present in solely 86 per cent and 84 per cent of polling items, respectively.
The observers additionally highlighted delays in some areas, comparable to Nnewi North (Wards 1–4) and Ogbolo Ward, Ihiala LGA, the place accreditation and voting started between 10:30 a.m. and midday as a result of late arrival of officers and safety operatives.
Vote shopping for and different violations
The hub raised severe issues over incidents of vote shopping for, saying occasion brokers had adopted “new and covert” methods to avoid anti-corruption measures.
This newspaper reported that vote-buying and intimidation marred the train in some polling items.
Reviews from Awka North, Orumba South, Oyi, Anambra East, Njikoka, and Onitsha North LGAs, in keeping with the hub, revealed instances the place brokers recorded voters’ particulars for post-voting funds and deployed POS machines close to polling items to facilitate money transfers in change for votes.
“These acts undermine the integrity of the election and reinforce the necessity for pressing enforcement of electoral legal guidelines to discourage vote shopping for and promoting,” the hub emphasised in its assertion.
The hub additionally lamented the absence of consequence sheets (Type EC8A) in Umudimogo Major College 1, Ihiala LGA, which triggered voters to halt accreditation. Different violations highlighted embrace underage voting in Orumba South LGA; violation of poll secrecy in Orumba North, the place voters displayed their marked ballots to occasion brokers; and inconsistent utility of election procedures by advert hoc officers of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC).
4 polling items additionally recorded instances of hate speech and verbal assaults towards girls, whereas one incident of bodily gender-based violence was noticed.
Safety presence and gaps
The report acknowledged that the presence of safety personnel from the Nigeria Police and the Federal Street Security Corps (FRSC) contributed to sustaining a peaceable ambiance.
In some items, like Polling Unit 10 in Orumba South LGA, officers ensured orderliness and prevented voter intimidation.
Nevertheless, observers additionally documented safety gaps, notably in PU 014, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi LGA, the place voting commenced with none safety personnel current.
The coalition famous that such lapses “expose polling items to potential disputes or intimidation” and solid doubt on the declare that 55,000 safety brokers have been deployed for the election.
Inclusion and accessibility
Relating to inclusion, the hub reported that 92.5 per cent of polling items had feminine INEC officers presiding over the voting, whereas 61.8 per cent had feminine safety officers. However only some polling items supplied precedence voting for pregnant girls, nursing moms, and the aged.
For individuals with disabilities, the group acknowledged INEC’s effort to deploy assistive types however famous a spot between pre-election incapacity information and precise provisions at polling stations.
In Awka South, blind voters have been unable to vote independently as a result of absence of braille poll guides and magnifying lenses, regardless of INEC’s earlier dedication.
Media freedom
The coalition reported just one case of interference with journalists, involving a Unizik FM reporter who confronted delicate obstruction whereas interviewing voters however was allowed to proceed after clarification with safety personnel.
Suggestions
The coalition urged INEC to implement strict compliance with election tips, particularly concerning the counting and digital transmission of outcomes by way of the INEC Outcome Viewing Portal (IReV).
It additionally referred to as on the Inter-Company Consultative Committee on Election Safety (ICCES) to make sure the continual presence of safety operatives in all polling items, notably in high-risk LGAs comparable to Ihiala and Idemili North.
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The group additional really helpful that INEC strengthen incapacity information validation forward of future elections, assure transparency at collation centres by permitting entry to accredited occasion brokers and observers, and preserve consistency within the utility of voting and accreditation procedures.
Whereas commending the efforts of INEC, safety companies, and the voters, the hub urged all stakeholders to stay peaceable and vigilant because the polls transition to the counting and collation levels.
“We commend the efforts of INEC, safety companies and the voters to date and urge all stakeholders to stay vigilant as polls come to an finish and counting and collation processes start,” the hub concluded.
