INEC Praised for Improved Professionalism, Transparency During Anambra Elections

By Ireti Asemota.

The Electoral Hub, under the Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD), has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for marked progress in professionalism, transparency, and logistics during the recent Anambra State governorship election.

Director Princess Hamman-Obels conveyed this in a Wednesday press release in Abuja, describing the exercise as a clear upgrade from prior elections—especially in result transmission, coordination, and inclusivity.

“We commend INEC for the relative professionalism and transparency demonstrated throughout the electoral process,” she stated, after the group monitored everything from pre-election prep to post-poll activities.

Key Wins Highlighted:

Timetable Adherence: INEC stuck rigorously to its schedule, showcasing readiness and legal fidelity.
Prompt Start: Voting kicked off at 8:30 a.m. in most units, with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) hitting a stellar 99.62% upload rate to the IReV portal by 9:15 a.m. on November 9.
Staff Conduct: Ad-hoc officials, including NYSC members, earned praise for discipline and guideline compliance.
Transparent Collation: Results flowed smoothly from wards to state level, leading to Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo (APGA) being declared winner with 422,664 votes over Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC)‘s 99,445.
Inclusivity Boost: Braille, magnifying glasses, and sign language interpreters were available at 25 polling stations; priority queuing was extended to women, pregnant voters, and persons with disabilities per the Electoral Act 2022.

Despite the strides, Hamman-Obels pinpointed hurdles that dented credibility:

High Campaign Fees: The ₦50 million permit from the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) tilted the field toward wealthier parties like the ruling APGA.
Security Lapses: The killing of a councilor in Orumba South LGA highlighted persistent risks.
Vote Buying: Reports of payments from ₦3,000 to ₦20,000 per voter surfaced at multiple units.
Low Turnout: Only 21.4% of registered voters participated, signaling deep apathy.

“The 2025 Anambra election reflects tangible improvements but sits amid Nigeria’s broader democratic recession,” she noted.

Hamman-Obels stressed that credible polls demand unified stakeholder commitment to accountability and integrity, urging citizens to stay engaged and demand transparency from INEC, parties, and leaders.

The Electoral Hub pledged ongoing work in electoral education, inclusion, and oversight, calling for stronger collaboration across INEC, CSOs, media, legislature, and political actors to foster a free, fair, and participatory democratic space.