By Tochi Chibueze
Independent election observers have raised concerns over low voter turnout, late arrival of officials, and cases of vote buying in several parts of Anambra State during the ongoing governorship election, despite huge investments made to ensure smooth conduct.
According to data from field observers supported by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), the turnout across polling units has been generally unimpressive. This is despite significant logistics investments, including printing of ballot papers and deployment of election materials.
Reports indicate that 61.75% of polling units reported female INEC official presiding over, while 47.5% of them reported presence of female security personnel at the poll as well However, several critical incidents were documented across Awka South, Oyi, Ogbaru, and Njikoka Local Government Areas, highlighting irregularities that affected the voting process.
In Awka South, at Passing Junction Polling Unit 024, voters waited over an hour before INEC officials arrived, with no security presence observed at the time. Although the atmosphere remained tense, no violence was reported as of 9:48 a.m. Similarly, at Eke Awka Market Polling Unit 023, only four out of 211 registered voters had been accredited by 10:00 a.m., with observers attributing the low turnout to the absence of many female traders who operate far from the market area.
In Njikoka Local Government Area, observers reported cases of massive vote buying and party agents assisting voters, leading to heated arguments among party supporters.
Likewise, in Oyi Local Government Area, at Nkwelle Ezunaka 1 Polling Unit 13, there were clear cases of open vote buying by party agents, raising further questions about electoral integrity.
At Obegwe Ward 4, Polling Unit 032 in Ogbaru, INEC officials reportedly arrived as late as 10:49 a.m. without any security personnel present.
Observers also noted growing voter apathy and indifference, particularly in Anambra East and Onitsha North, with reports of vote buying targeting youths and even security operatives. There were also at least three reports of harassment and intimidation across different polling units.
The observation mission is part of a broader initiative implemented by TAF Africa, Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre, The Kukah Centre, and the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund, under the EU-SDGN project with support from the European Union to promote transparency, inclusion, and democratic growth in Nigeria’s electoral process.
While the election remained largely peaceful in many areas, the combination of late logistics deployment, low voter enthusiasm, and open vote buying continues to threaten the credibility of the process, according to observers.
