Anambra 2025: INEC Transparency, Impartiality Will Decide the Fate of the Governorship Election – Yiaga Africa

By Oluronke Kuku

Anambra State is in top gear as it prepares for its governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025; the YIAGA Africa as an observer group has warned that the credibility of the election poll should be hanged on efficiency, integrity and impartiality.

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In its Pre-Election Statement issued under the WatchingTheVote (WTV) project, Yiaga Africa said the forthcoming exercise would serve as “a defining test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)” under its new leadership and a measure for Nigeria’s democratic progress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to INEC, a total of 2, 802, 790 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units in the state. Sixteen political parties are fielding candidates, including two women, in what will be Nigeria’s seventh off-cycle governorship election since the 2023 general polls.

Yiaga Africa’s Election Observation Hub, supported by the European Union under the EU-SDGN project, will deploy 687 observers across Anambra on Saturday. These observers will monitor integrity, logistics, security, gender participation, media, peacebuilding, and misinformation trends throughout the election period.

Yiaga Africa’s report noted that while INEC has made progress in preparations, including the training of officials and configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) which concerns persist about possible bypass of the technology, as observed in the previous elections. 

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The group warned that BVAS usage for accreditation is compulsory and non-negotiable, urging the electoral body to enforce uniform compliance across all polling units.

On logistics, the group acknowledged INEC’s effort in mobilizing 2,233 buses and 83 boats for the transport of personnel and materials but cautioned that coordination with transport unions must improve to avoid delays seen in past elections.

Security remains another major flashpoint. The group raised alarm over reports of harassment and intimidation by vigilante groups allegedly linked to the Anambra State Government’s Operation Udo Gaachi. 

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Yiaga Africa called for the exclusion of such groups from election security operations, insisting that the police and other statutory agencies must take full control at least 24 hours before the polls.

Potential hotspots include Orumba North, Orumba South, Ogbaru, Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Aguata — areas reportedly affected by insecurity and the presence of non-state armed actors.

The report also expressed concern over low voter enthusiasm, warning that turnout could fall below 20%, given widespread distrust in the electoral process, especially among youth.

Yiaga Africa outlined three “tests” that will define the integrity of the 2025 governorship election: Efficiency Test, can INEC deploy materials and staff early enough to ensure polls start on time? Past elections in Anambra saw less than 30% of polling units open by 7:30 a.m. 

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Secondly, the Integrity test, will help INEC enforce full BVAS use, ensure timely upload of results on the IReV portal, and uphold transparency in collation?

Ok the Impartiality test, YIAGA Africa appealed to security agencies remain neutral, resist political interference, and protect voters without bias?

Yiaga Africa urged INEC to, enforce full BVAS and IReV compliance with sanctions for violations. Also, strengthen oversight of logistics and clarify polling arrangements in insecure areas like Ihiala.

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Security agencies were advised to prevent infiltration by vigilante groups, maintain neutrality and professionalism while protecting voters and observers.

Political parties were reminded to honor the Peace Accord signed under the auspices of the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric or vote buying.

Civil society organizations and the media were encouraged to continue voter education, counter disinformation, and maintain independent oversight to promote transparency.

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Yiaga Africa reaffirmed its commitment to providing “timely, accurate, and data-driven” reports through its Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology — formerly known as the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT). 

The group pledged to independently verify official results and expose any attempt to manipulate outcomes.

 “If the announced results reflect the ballots cast at polling units, we will confirm the outcome. However, Yiaga Africa will expose any manipulation,” the organization stated.

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The press statement was signed by Dr. Asmau Maikudi, Chair of the 2025 Anambra Election Mission, and Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, the report called on all stakeholders to uphold peace, fairness, and transparency to ensure a credible poll.

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