With less than two weeks before the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) implementing partners have noted ongoing issues such as insecurity and vote buying as factors that may affect the credibility and inclusiveness of the state’s polls. This information was shared at a
With less than two weeks before the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) implementing partners have noted ongoing issues such as insecurity and vote buying as factors that may affect the credibility and inclusiveness of the state’s polls.
This information was shared at a media briefing and public presentation of the Joint EU-SDGN II Partners’ Pre-Election Assessment Report for the 2025 Anambra off-cycle governorship election on Thursday, October 30, in Abuja. The report was read by Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, International Press Centre.
The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) implementing partners, therefore, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enforce strict penalties against vote-buying and other electoral offences ahead of the 2025 Anambra State off-cycle governorship election.
According to the partners in a report was launched to evaluate progress and challenges recorded in past elections in Anambra, while outlining strategies that key institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, media, and civil society organisations, should adopt to promote a peaceful, transparent, and non-violent electoral process.
The implementing partners, which include DAI Global Belgium SRL, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA); the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement Africa (YIAGA Africa), Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the Kukah Centre, and International Press Centre (IPC).
Others are; Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO); the Albino Foundation Africa (TAF Africa); Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF); ElectHER; SOS Children’s Villages; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Corporate Accountability and Public Participation for Africa (CAPPA); Justice, Development and Peace Makers’ Centre, Osogbo; Justice Development and Peace Initiative, Ekiti; and Justice, Development and Peace Movement.
The pre-election assessment report covered key thematic areas such as political, social, and security dynamics; media landscape and threats to press freedom; women’s participation in politics; and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The report emphasises issues affecting the democratic system in the state. “In a state with political culture and a history of active civic engagement, democracy cannot thrive where votes are bought, and citizens feel their choices no longer matter.”
The report flagged insecurity as a major threat to voter participation, citing cult-related violence, kidnappings, and disinformation campaigns that have instilled fear and distrust among voters. It also warned that limited security coordination and cases of intimidation could erode public confidence in the election if not urgently addressed.
The EU partners recalled that the 2021 governorship election in Anambra recorded a voter turnout of just 10.2 percent, the lowest in Nigeria’s electoral history and warned that participation in 2025 could decline further unless voter apathy and inducement were tackled decisively.
Other recurring issues identified included political violence, vote buying, and poor voter mobilisation in parts of the state.
However, despite these challenges, the report noted improvements in several areas, such as increased youth mobilisation, higher voter registration, greater women’s participation, and growing inclusion of PWDs. INEC was also commended for improving the registration process, which captured over 168,000 new voters, mostly women and young people.
Stakeholder Recommendations
To strengthen electoral integrity, the report recommended deploying trained election observers and security personnel to prevent voter intimidation and ensure unrestricted access to polling units. It also called for the creation of accessible complaint channels for reporting cases of disenfranchisement.
The partners further urged INEC to improve logistics for the timely delivery of election materials and to ensure gender balance by assigning at least one female official per polling unit. They also advised the Commission to publish gender-disaggregated data on registration, accreditation, and turnout to enhance transparency.
The report recommended training all electoral officers and ad-hoc staff on Section 54 of the Electoral Act (2022), which guarantees the rights of PWDs, and the provision of assistive devices such as braille guides, magnifiers, and sign language interpreters in both urban and rural polling units.
On electoral offences, the partners called for the “strengthening of enforcement of legal frameworks, which includes strict penalties for vote buying by ensuring that electoral laws clearly define and penalise such practice.”
According to the report, security agencies and INEC officials must be proactive in detecting and arresting offenders during campaigns and on election day. The report also recommended excluding non-statutory security outfits such as vigilante groups from election duties to avoid misuse and intimidation.
It also advised media practitioners to promote responsible journalism that upholds ethical standards of the promotion. Also, through collaboration, INEC, the Nigeria Police, DSS, and other security agencies should establish a Media- Security Desk at the state level, with clear communication lines to provide accredited journalists safe access to polling units and collation centres.
Political Representation of Women and Persons with Disabilities
While acknowledging an increase in women’s participation in Anambra politics, the report lamented that representation remains low. Of the 16 political parties contesting the election, only two out of the governorship candidates are women, while others are men.
Part of the recommendation was to ensure women’s participation; there should be active amplification of female candidates through debates, town hall meetings that highlight women’s priorities. Integrate gender-sensitive protocols into election security operations, ensuring that female voters and candidates are not disproportionately exposed to intimidation or violence.
It further called for strengthening Gender Desk Officers across INEC offices and equipping them with resources to monitor women’s participation and flag gender-related incidents in real time.
However, towards ensuring inclusivity in the area of People With Disabilities, it was advised that training of all election officials and ad hoc staff on section 54 of the Electoral Act (2022) regarding the rights of PWDs and issuing clear guidance on priority voting and accommodations (mobility aids, companions, flexible queuing).
Also, provision of sufficient assisting devices( braille guides, magnifying glasses, sign language interpreters, large-print guides, firm EC40H, etc) is distributed statewide, including rural areas, for PWDs.
