As at mid-day on election day, the Election Observation Hub, comprising Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, IPC, CEMESO, NWTF, ElectHER, and TAF Africa, having jointly deployed 711 citizen observers across all 21 LGAs during the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State, observed the following:
- Peaceful Environment: Voting so far has been conducted in a generally peaceful and secure atmosphere, with election officials and security personnel displaying professionalism.
- Logistical Challenges: While deployment of materials improved compared to past elections, delays in arrival of officials and materials led to late commencement of polls in some areas.
- Vote Buying: Observers reported new, covert methods of vote buying, including use of POS machines and recording voter details for post-voting inducements.
- Turnout: Preliminary observations indicate low voter turnout across several LGAs, consistent with pre-election concerns about apathy.
- Inclusivity: Women presided over voting in most polling units, but priority voting for pregnant women and nursing mothers was limited. Persons with disabilities faced gaps in assistive tools, such as absence of braille ballot guides.
- Security Presence: Security personnel were generally present, contributing to orderliness, though some polling units operated without coverage, raising concerns about gaps in deployment.
- Critical Incidents: Reports included missing result sheets in Ihiala LGA, underage voting, violation of ballot secrecy, and isolated cases of gender-based violence and hate speech.
Read the full statement here.
