…Makes 11 Key Recommendations for a Successful Poll

To ensure effective monitoring and oversight of activities related to the November 8 governorship election, YIAGA Africa announced on Thursday the deployment of its Watch the Vote Centre. This initiative forms part of a wider civil society election observation hub, supported by the European Union through the EU Support for Democratic Governance Project (EU-SDGN) II.

The Election Observation Hub comprises organisations such as Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), ElectHER and TAF Africa. Cumulatively, the Hub is deploying 687 observers across Anambra State, working in coordinated clusters that cover election integrity and result verification, disability inclusion, gender participation, peacebuilding, media and misinformation tracking, logistics observation, and real-time data reporting.

During a media briefing, Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, and Dr Asmau Maikudi, Chair of the 2025 Anambra Election Mission, identified three major criteria to assess the credibility of the upcoming 2025 Anambra governorship election: the efficiency of logistics, the integrity of electoral procedures, and the neutrality of security agencies.

Asking rhetorical questions like: Can INEC ensure timely and efficient deployment of personnel and materials to enable early commencement of polls? Will INEC enforce its guidelines and maintain transparency in the application of electoral procedures? Will the security agencies maintain neutrality and protect voters, observers and election officials without partisan interference?

To resolve the puzzles, YIAGA Africa has also made eleven recommendations to guide towards a successful poll. They cover requirements for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, and the media.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

1. Strengthen Oversight of Logistics and Deployment: Ensure strict supervision of the deployment of personnel and materials by holding transport companies accountable to their contractual obligations.
2. Clarify Polling Unit Consolidation in Ihiala: Provide timely and detailed information regarding voting arrangements in Ihiala LGA, where voting has been consolidated due to insecurity, to avoid voter confusion and disenfranchisement.
3. Enforce BVAS and IReV Compliance: Guarantee full compliance with voter accreditation using BVAS and timely upload of polling unit results (Form EC8A) to the IReV portal. Noncompliance should trigger clear sanctions as prescribed by the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

Security Agencies

4. Prevent Infiltration by Non-Statutory Security Groups: Establish and enforce clear protocols to exclude vigilante and other unconventional security outfits from election security roles. Their involvement should be expressly prohibited to maintain public trust.
5. Uphold Neutrality and Professionalism: Ensure that security personnel operate without political bias. Security operations must be non-selective, avoiding intimidation or harassment of political actors, voters, accredited observers, and journalists.
6. Deploy Strategically to Hotspots: Prioritise intelligence-led deployment in identified flashpoints to deter violence, reassure voters, and prevent escalation of conflict on election day.
7. Arrest and Prosecute Vote Buyers: Proactively identify and arrest all individuals engaged in vote buying on election day. Collaborate closely with INEC officials at polling units to ensure swift response and enforcement.

Political Parties

8. Fulfil their obligations under the Peace Accord by refraining from violent rhetoric, voting, buying, and ensuring full compliance with the electoral laws and guidelines.

CSOs & Media

9. Continue robust voter education efforts across communities, with a focus on election procedures related to accreditation, voting and collation of results. Empower citizens with accurate information to make informed electoral choices and participate meaningfully.
10. Maintain consistent, independent oversight of the electoral process before, during, and on election day to deter malpractice and promote transparency—document and report incidents promptly to relevant authorities and the public.
11. Proactively counter disinformation and election-related falsehoods aimed at undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

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