As Anambra State prepares to elect a new governor tomorrow, tension and uncertainty prevail in the atmosphere amid concerns over a heavy security presence, reports of vote buying, and insecurity that could undermine the exercise.
Fueling the apprehension is growing public doubt about the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under its new Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.
Observers are watching how Amupitan will distinguish himself from his predecessor, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure was marred by controversies over logistics, late delivery of materials, BVAS glitches, and delayed result uploads during the 2023 general elections.
Stakeholders say his handling of tomorrow’s governorship poll, his first major national assignment, will show whether INEC has learnt from past failures or remains trapped in old inefficiencies.
Amupitan has pledged to restore public trust through innovation, transparency, and discipline, but analysts argue that his credibility hinges on how well INEC manages logistics, maintains neutrality, coordinates security, and curbs vote buying.
The poll will test not only INEC’s reforms but also its ability to deliver materials promptly and ensure transparent result transmission; factors many believe will shape the credibility and acceptance of the outcome.
Sixteen candidates from various political parties will contest the election, with about 2.8 million registered voters expected to participate. No fewer than 60,000 security personnel drawn from the Police, Civil Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force have been deployed across the state’s 5,720 polling units.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Abayomi Shogunle, confirmed that the police alone had deployed about 45,000 officers for the exercise, adding that tactical units, helicopters, and drones would be used for aerial surveillance to complement ground patrols and intelligence operations across the 21 local councils.
Shogunle explained: “The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and safety at every polling unit,” he said. “We want to guarantee voters’ confidence in coming out to cast their ballots without fear. We assure the people of Anambra that the election will be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of intimidation. Our collective aim is to ensure the safety of voters, INEC officials, and all stakeholders involved.”
However, the decision to bar the state-owned security outfit, Agunechemba, from participating in the election has stirred mixed reactions. The opposition accused the state government of using the outfit to intimidate voters and manipulate outcomes in previous polls, particularly during reruns for the Anambra South Senatorial and Onitsha State Constituency seats, both of which were won by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Raising concerns about the growing militarisation of the electoral process, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) cautioned security agencies against creating unnecessary tension in the state.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, and two human rights lawyers, Joy Igboeli and Chidimma Udegbunam, the group condemned what it described as “threats of fire and brimstone,” warning that such actions could heighten public anxiety and discourage voter participation.
According to the organisation, the deployment of heavy security equipment and personnel often creates a “war-like atmosphere” that scares voters.
“From available records,” the statement noted, “security forces have often made voting environments hostile for vulnerable voters through militarisation and weaponisation of civic spaces, particularly during so-called ‘shows of force’ involving armoured tanks, explosives, and heavily armed officers chanting war songs.”
Intersociety urged the police and military to make their operations more intelligence-driven, tactically discreet, and non-intimidating, to encourage large voter turnout and allow people to cast their ballots freely.
The group also expressed concern over the declining rate of voter participation in Anambra elections, recalling that turnout fell from 46 per cent in 1999 to 25 per cent in 2013, 21 per cent in 2017, and just 10.5 per cent in 2021.
“With 2.82 million registered voters and 2.5 million PVC holders for tomorrow’s election, the authorities must prevent a repeat of this pattern,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the CLEEN Foundation has identified five local councils: Ayamelum, Awka South, Onitsha North, Orumba South, and Ekwusigo as high-risk zones, citing past incidents of politically motivated violence and the activities of non-state armed groups.
Similarly, the Anambra chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has lamented poor voter education and inadequate sensitisation, especially in rural areas.
