The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), under the Strengthening Electoral Accountability Project (SEAP), on Friday decried the downward voter turnout in past Anambra State governorship elections, while urging for transparency and peaceful participation in the election scheduled for Saturday, November 8.
The group, supported by the FCDO/PACE program, made this call during a stakeholders and media briefing held at BON Hotels, Awka, Anambra State. It attributed the poor turnout to factors such as insecurity and declining confidence in the electoral umpire, among others.
Speaking at the event, KDI Executive Director, Bukola Idowu, said the organization has been closely monitoring the electoral environment in Anambra State through data-driven research, stakeholder engagement, and on-ground observation. He added that,
“Our pre-election assessment highlights key trends, risks, and opportunities for ensuring credible and violence-free polls.”
Idowu maintained that:
“Voter turnout has fallen by over 58% in the last eight years, despite consistent growth in voter registration. It would appear that voter turnout is falling at the same rate at which voter registration is growing. This means that while more citizens are registering to vote, fewer are turning out on election day — a troubling trend that points to deepening voter apathy and declining trust in the electoral process.”
To better understand this decline, KDI conducted a detailed analysis and discovered that although Anambra North Senatorial District recorded the highest number of registered voters, it has consistently produced the lowest voter turnout in the state.
While insecurity contributes to low voter turnout across the state generally, Anambra South, which has historically experienced higher levels of insecurity, still recorded comparatively better turnout rates.
KDI’s findings suggest that other factors contribute to the low participation in Anambra North, including logistical and geographical challenges. Some local governments in the district, such as Anambra East, Anambra West, and Ogbaru, are largely riverine and made up of hard-to-reach communities, with a higher voter-to-polling-unit ratio than other districts.
“These factors have contributed significantly to voter fatigue, disenfranchisement, and the persistent low turnout in the area,” Idowu said.
The group advocated that special attention be paid to the state to prevent another low turnout in Saturday’s election.
“Special attention must be
paid to these areas, lest Anambra risks experiencing another historically low voter turnout in tomorrow’s governorship election.”On INEC’s preparedness, KDI said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has demonstrated logistical readiness, though some operational gaps persist.
It stated that,
“Comparative analysis of preparedness for the Anambra Governorship Election against the 2024 Ondo State Off-Cycle Election reveals a mixed outlook on operational readiness. The training of ad-hoc officials concluded only on November 6, 2025 — two days before the election — compared to a timelier completion in Ondo 2024. This left no room for mock drills or refresher sessions, limiting INEC’s ability to evaluate the competence of ad-hoc personnel and replace unfit or unavailable staff ahead of election day.”
Nonetheless, KDI noted that INEC’s continuous engagement with stakeholders and improvements in technology usage, particularly through the BVAS and IREV platforms, remain positive indicators that, if effectively managed, can mitigate these risks and enhance the credibility of the process.
The group also raised concerns about the endorsement of the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo, by the Joint Transporter Forum, comprising NURTW, RTEAN, Keke, Okada, and Bus Unions.
“Since INEC relies heavily on these unions for material transportation, their partisan alignment could undermine perceptions of neutrality, risk delays, and erode public confidence in the process,” KDI warned.
Idowu further revealed that KDI’s Hotspot Mapping Analysis for the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election indicates that while the overall security risk across the state remains moderate, several localized flashpoints persist in areas historically prone to electoral tension, political rivalry, and voter intimidation.
The analysis identifies Aguata and Ihiala as severe-risk areas, with a high likelihood of violence or disruption on election day. Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ogbaru are categorized as high-risk LGAs, while the remaining local governments are assessed as being at a moderate risk level.
“In practical terms, this means that LGAs classified as severe or high risk face a greater probability of experiencing election-related disturbances, ranging from logistical delays and voter suppression to violent clashes — unless proactive measures are taken,” Idowu concluded.
