Pulse.ng : CSOs commend peaceful Anambra Poll, decries vote buying, abuse of power

Mr Achike Chude, representative of Convener Situation Room, Mr Yunusa Ya'u and other members of the Coalition on Monday in Abuja

By Petpetua Onuegbu

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has described the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election held Saturday, Nov. 8, as peaceful and well managed, but marred by widespread vote buying, abuse of state power.

The coalition said this in a statement signed by its convener Mr Yunusa Ya'u and delivered by Achike Chude, the Coalition's Spoke Person on Monday in Abuja.

According to the coalition, the election “was generally peaceful, with voters conducting themselves calmly at polling units, apart from a few incidents of violence.

"Partner organisation Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) recorded 35 incidents ranging from voter intimidation and ballot box snatching to one fatality."

"The credit for the peaceful exercise “belongs mainly to the people of Anambra, whose collective commitment to a calm electoral atmosphere was pivotal.”

The group however, praised INEC for improved management with only minor logistical delays.

"Although voting began late in many polling units averaging 9:15 a.m.the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was said to have functioned optimally in most locations."

It also commended the commission for “quick and drama-free” collation process and timely activation of the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal, which recorded 97 percent uploads of polling unit results within five hours of poll closure.

However, the group observed inconsistent provision of assistive materials for persons with disabilities, noting that braille guides and magnifying glasses were unavailable in several polling units.

It said reports from its partners, including CLEEN Foundation, indicated that security agents largely conducted themselves professionally, with visible presence from senior police and civil defence officers across the state.

The group however, expressed concern that security agents were reluctant to act decisively against the widespread practice of vote buying, which it described as “a growing threat to Nigeria’s democracy.”

“The ugly phenomenon of vote buying and selling was in full swing during the Anambra election,” the group stated.

“It is a tragic reflection of the failure of the political class to deliver on the benefits of democracy.”

It called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to tackle the root causes of vote trading, including poverty and citizens’ disconnection from governance outcomes.

The coalition faulted the “general lack of commitment to competitive electioneering” by many political parties and called for reforms to strengthen internal party accountability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It also condemned the “continuous abuse of state power by incumbents,” citing restrictions on campaign billboards, signage, and rallies in markets as examples of “lopsided practices that undermine a level playing field.”

"Voter turnout, estimated at about 21 per cent of the 2.7 million registered voters, was described as disappointing despite being an improvement over the 10 per cent recorded in 2021.

“Many citizens appeared uninterested in the process and continued their trading during voting hours.

“This lingering distrust in public institutions calls for deeper reflection.”

The Situation Room therefore called on the National Assembly to expedite action on pending electoral reform bills aimed at curbing vote buying, enhancing voter participation, and improving prosecution of electoral offenses.

“Credible elections remain central to democratic governance and public accountability.

“The lessons from the Anambra poll must inform deeper reforms and stronger collaboration among INEC, security agencies, political actors, and civil society.”

The coalition also called for attention to the credibility of the voter register, welfare of security agencies, and voter apathy as Nigeria prepares for the 2026 off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun and the 2027 general elections.(NAN)