Awka, Nigeria — A civil society organisation, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), has issued a critical statement on the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, highlighting issues of voter apathy, vote trading, and operational shortcomings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While acknowledging the generally peaceful environment, the CDD-West Africa’s Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC) warned that these issues pose a significant threat to the transparency and integrity of the process.
Concerns Over Operational Gaps and BVAS Failure
The CDD-EAC, which deployed 178 accredited observers, noted mixed performance regarding institutional preparedness: Timeliness: 72.2% of polling units opened on time (before 8:30 a.m.), suggesting generally effective early deployment. However, 5.4% experienced significant delays, opening after 10:00 a.m., particularly in densely populated areas like Onitsha North and Ogbaru.
Technology Issues: While the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) was deployed in all monitored units, failures were recorded. In some units in Anaocha and Idemili South, the BVAS failed to capture thumbprints, causing delays and illustrating a lack of “corrective measures.”
Zero Count: Observers noted that in 3.8% of units, the BVAS machines failed to visibly display the required zero count before the start of accreditation, underscoring a need for stricter compliance with INEC guidelines.
Systemic Vote Buying Undermines Fairness
CDD-EAC reports documented widespread incidents of vote trading and inducement across the state, with high concentrations in the Anambra Central and Anambra South senatorial zones.”These activities, often carried out in full view of voters and officials, directly undermined the transparency and fairness of the electoral process,” the CDD stated.
Transactions: Party agents were observed offering voters up to ₦10,000 (about £5.20 or $6.40), with transactions sometimes facilitated through money transfer platforms instead of cash.
‘Vote-and-Snap‘: Observers recorded “vote-and-snap” behaviour, where voters took pictures of their marked ballots, likely as proof for financial compliance.
Lack of Deterrent: In some instances, such as at Igboukwu Ward 2, agents were seen openly distributing cash to voters “without any response or deterrent from security personnel.”
Security Disparity and Voter Suppression
While security personnel were present at 87.3% of observed polling units, the CDD raised concerns about the uneven allocation of resources.
Inadequate Coverage: 12.7% of polling units, particularly smaller, rural ones in areas like Aguata LGA, had no security presence in the early hours of voting. The CDD warned that this disparity “exposes electoral officials and voters to potential risks and creates space for political interference.”
Violence: In Orumba North LGA, a violent confrontation between party agents escalated, leading to the destruction of a ballot box and the halting of voting in the absence of sufficient security.
Intimidation: A disturbing report from Obiofia Umuenem Hall alleged that party agents forced voters to vote for certain candidates through intimidation.
Low Youth Turnout and Exclusion
The report also noted concerns regarding voter participation:
Apathy: Despite strong initial interest, turnout among young voters was visibly low, particularly in urban centres like Awka and Onitsha.
Inclusion Gaps: Women, especially female candidates, continued to face voter apathy and discriminatory behaviour. Furthermore, accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs) remained limited, with observers reporting a lack of wheelchair access and necessary signage in several LGAs, despite INEC’s public commitments. The CDD-EAC concluded that while voting was largely peaceful, the issues of vote trading, low turnout, and exclusion pose ongoing challenges to Nigeria’s democratic process.
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