CDD-West Africa Raises Concerns Over Voter Apathy, Vote Trading, and Gaps in Institutional Preparedness During the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election
(Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria) The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), is monitoring the conduct of the 2025 Anambra Governorship election across all 21 Local Government Areas. This statement provides our initial observations as voting is ending.
CDD-West Africa has deployed a multi-layered observation effort, consisting of:
- 178 trained and accredited observers stationed across high-priority polling units,
- 57 grassroots monitors (“Soldiers of Mouth”) tracking and reporting information disorder, and
- 30 mandate protection observers identifying and escalating cases of irregularities as they happen.
CDD’s goal is to provide timely, evidence-based analysis to promote transparency, voter confidence, and the integrity of the electoral process.
Context and Pre-Election Environment
The Anambra election is unfolding amid persistent concerns about voter apathy, low electoral competitiveness, and the fragility of key electoral institutions. The legacy of previous administrations, public distrust in INEC post-2023, and fears of violence or manipulation continue to shape perceptions alongside intra-party divisions, unequal access to state resources, and exclusion of women and youth.
Gaps in Institutional Preparedness
CDD-EAC observed that 72.2% of polling units opened on time, with officials present before 8:30 am. An additional 19.5% opened between 8:30 am and 9:00 am, while 1.5% began operations after 9:00 am. However, 5.4% of polling units experienced significant delays, with officials arriving after 10:00 am.
These figures reflect generally effective early deployment by INEC across most areas. Still, the delays observed in a small but notable portion of polling units suggest operational gaps that need addressing, particularly regarding last-mile logistics in harder-to-reach or densely populated communities.
Field reports provide concrete examples of these shortcomings. In Onitsha North LGA (Ward 15, PU005) and Woliwo Ward 15 (PU001), operations were delayed due to the late arrival of officials and the absence of security personnel as of 9:00 am. Similar delays were observed in Ogbaru LGA (Okpoko Ward 5, PU004 and Iyiowa Odekpe Ward, PU008)and Anambra East LGA (Ward 002, PU010).
The BVAS was observed in all polling units monitored. In 78.9% of polling units, a single BVAS device was deployed, while 18%had two machines available, and 1.5% reported having more than two devices. Our observers also noted that in 96.2% of polling units, the BVAS machines correctly displayed the required zero count before the commencement of accreditation. However, 3.8%of observers reported that the zero count was not displayed. While these instances did not significantly disrupt the accreditation process, the failure to visibly display the zero count in some locations underscores the continued need for strict compliance with INEC operational guidelines.
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) experienced failures in some instances, as observed in Anaocha LGA, Ward 4 (Agulu), PU011, BVAS failed to capture thumbprints, and no corrective measures were in place. Similar issues were observed in Idemili South LGA, Ward 2 (Alor), PU004, and Nkpor Ward 2, Idemili North (PU002)where voting had not commenced by 10:12 am and 11:00 am, respectively. In Anambra Central, particularly in Njikoka LGA, Umudim Ward 2 (PU035), the facial recognition feature of the BVAS machine functioned poorly.
Security Environment
Security personnel were present at 87.3% of polling units observed by CDD-EAC, while 12.7% recorded no security presence at the time of observation. In locations where officers were deployed, the security presence consisted of an average of three to four officers per unit, contributing to a calm and orderly voting environment in most cases. Of the officers observed, 80.8% were male and 19.2% were female. High-density polling stations, such as village halls with large clusters of voters, experienced the presence of more security personnel, leading to visible efforts of crowd control.
CDD also observed a high concentration of security officials, media and election observers in polling units associated with popular political figures.
In contrast, polling units with fewer registered voters showed inadequate security coverage, which aligns with the 12.7% of PUs that had no security personnel present. For instance, in Uga Ward 2, Aguata LGA, observers reported no security officials were present at PUs 010, 011, and 012 during the early hours of voting. The absence of law enforcement in these units exposed electoral officials and voters to potential risks and created space for political interference.
This disparity in deployment raises concerns about strategic allocation of security resources, especially in rural polling units. While the overall security coverage was sufficient in most areas, the lack of consistent deployment risks undermines electoral integrity and public trust. All polling units, regardless of size or location, require adequate and competent security coverage to safeguard the voting process and ensure that all voters can participate without fear or interference.
Electoral Offences and Vote Trading
CDD-EAC observers recorded multiple incidents of vote buying and trading across Anambra State during the election, with particularly high concentrations in the Anambra Central and Anambra South senatorial zones. These activities, often carried out in full view of voters and officials, directly undermined the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.
In Awka South, Anambra Central, and in Nnewi North LGA, vote buying was observed in high-density polling clusters, including Nodu Village Hall 1 (PU 009, 2,780 registered voters), Nodu Hall 2 (PU 010, 1,983 voters), and Ezinifitte Hall 2 (PU 008, 3,352 voters) and Nibo 002 Maternity I. Voters were seen participating in "vote-and-snap" behavior taking pictures of their marked ballots, likely as proof of compliance in exchange for financial incentives. In some instances, party agents used money transfer platforms rather than direct cash payments to complete the transactions.
Party agents offered voters up to ₦10,000 and ₦5,000, depending on the location. For example, in PU 005, Achina Ward 3, and in Aguata LGA, opposite PU 012, Ward 1, agents distributed ₦5,000 and ₦2,000 payments to voters.
In Anambra South, similar patterns were recorded. At Ichi PU 010 in Ekwusigo LGA, and Achina Ward 1, PU 012 in Aguata LGA, with agents distributing cash payments ranging from ₦2,000 to ₦5,000 in rooms situated directly across polling units. At Igboukwu Ward 2, Central School PU 017, party agents were seen distributing ₦5,000 to voters openly, without any response or deterrent from security personnel.
Observers also reported that in Uruagu Ward 1, PU 006 in Nnewi North LGA, party agents maintained informal logs of voters who had received payments, confirming the existence of a systematic vote-trading mechanism.
Inclusion and Voter Participation
Despite strong interest shown by youth during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) period, turnout among young voters on election day was visibly low, especially in urban centres such as Awka and Onitsha. Contributing factors appeared to include disillusionment with the political process, logistical delays, and perceived lack of impact.
Women, particularly female candidates, continued to face voter apathy and discriminatory behaviour. Observers recorded instances where female candidates were subjected to dismissive or sexist commentary at polling units, reinforcing the cultural and institutional barriers to women’s political participation.
Accessibility for persons with disabilities remained limited in several areas, including Onitsha North and Idemili South LGAs. Despite INEC’s public commitment to inclusion, observers reported that many polling units lacked wheelchair access, signage for the visually impaired, or priority voting arrangements.
Voter Suppression
In Orumba North LGA, Amagu Square 3, PU 004, a violent confrontation between party agents escalated into a physical altercation that led to the destruction of the ballot box, ultimately halting the voting process. This occurred in the absence of sufficient on-site security and exposed both voters and electoral officials to serious risk.
A particularly disturbing report emerged from Obiofia Umuenem Hall PU 002 in Anambra South, where party agents allegedly forced voters to vote for certain candidates through intimidation.
Information Disorder
The CDD continues to monitor misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
As of midday, twenty (20) claims have been identified and fact-checked. These include narratives questioning INEC’s readiness, doctored videos of violent incidents, manipulated endorsements, and alleged political actors and voters’ inducement circulating on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. There are also reports of candidates stepping down, and circulation of old images and videos, as well as a spike in artificially generated content.
CDD expresses its disappointment that false information and hate speech played a role in the election despite repeated warnings. Particularly, there were several instances of gendered hate speech. Of the two female gubernatorial candidates, one has come under heavy attack of gendered disinformation, with her image going viral across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, thereby attracting and fuelling sexist remarks. However, none were recorded on election day so far.
Conclusion and Next Steps
While voting has generally proceeded peacefully in many locations, serious issues remain:
- Persistent vote trading and inducements,
- Low turnout in several areas,
- Worrisome exclusion and suppression in select LGAs, and
- Real-time misinformation still threatens voter confidence.
CDD-EAC observers will continue to track the collation process, paying close attention to result transmission and any emerging concerns around the process.
We commend voters who have turned out despite challenges and call on all electoral stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant, and committed to the principles of democracy.
Further updates will be shared as collation progresses. We urge citizens to continue reporting irregularities and refrain from spreading unverified information.
For more information, please contact Faridha Salihu-Lukman, Communications Officer, at fslukman@cddwestafrica.org/0810 625 9235.