Election Monitoring Efforts in Anambra State
An election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa, has announced the deployment of no fewer than 687 observers to ensure effective monitoring of the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for Saturday. This information was shared during a pre-election press conference held in Awka on Thursday by the Chair of the 2025 Anambra Election Mission, Dr Asmau Maikudi.
Dr Maikudi outlined several areas that will be the focus of the monitoring exercise. These include the Independent National Electoral Commission’s preparatory activities, election logistics management, election security, low voter enthusiasm, and anticipated low voter turnout. She emphasized that efficiency test, integrity test, and impartiality tests are the hallmarks of the election.
The pre-election press conference, titled “Anambra 2025: Efficiency, integrity and impartiality will make or mar the election,” was jointly addressed by Dr Maikudi and the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo. Their discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.
Key Areas of Concern
According to Dr Maikudi, Yiaga Africa has identified six local government areas as potential hotspots for security threats. These areas are Orumba North, Orumba South, Ogbaru, Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Aguata. The organization noted that some communities in these regions are under threat from non-state armed groups, which would require more deliberate and intelligence-informed deployment of security personnel.
Dr Maikudi explained that Yiaga Africa is deploying “Watching the Vote” as part of a broader civil society election observation hub supported by the European Union under the EU Support for Democratic Governance Project. This hub includes organizations such as The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Centre for Media and Society, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, ElectHER, and TAF Africa.
Comprehensive Observation Strategy
The Election Observation Hub is deploying 687 observers across Anambra State, working in coordinated clusters that cover various aspects of the election. These clusters include election integrity and results verification, disability inclusion, gender participation, peacebuilding, media and misinformation tracking, logistics observation, and real-time data reporting.
Ahead of the governorship election, the Election Observation Hub issued a Joint Pre-Election Assessment Report. This report analyzed the political climate, security risks, media environment, and levels of gender and disability inclusion. It also offered 66 actionable recommendations to strengthen electoral credibility, voter access, and institutional preparedness.
Security Threats and Voter Disinterest
Notably, the pre-election observation highlighted possible security threats in Orumba North, Orumba South, Ogbaru, Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Aguata. These LGAs are considered potential hotspots, with some communities under threat from non-state armed groups that would require more deliberate and intelligence-informed deployment.
The pre-election environment has remained relatively passive, with voters almost disinterested in participating in voter engagement activities. Narratives indicating a lack of trust in the electoral process and outcomes are prevalent across different communities in the state.
This trend is further observed with the low number of new registrants and the rate of Permanent voters’ card collection. Yiaga Africa also observed in its engagement across the LGAs that a significant number of young people within the voting age were disinterested in registering as voters or participating in the election.
Concerns Over Voter Turnout
Given this trend and Anambra’s historical record of low voter turnout, there are serious concerns that the election may witness turnout rates below 20 per cent, further weakening electoral legitimacy.
Dr Maikudi outlined three critical benchmarks that will shape the credibility of the electoral process. These include the efficiency of logistics, integrity in electoral procedures, and impartiality of security agencies.