The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) implementing partners, representing sixteen civil society organizations, have issued a strong call to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Their appeal focuses on the urgent need to enforce strict penalties against vote-buying and other electoral offenses in anticipation of the 2025 Anambra State off-cycle governorship election. This directive was conveyed during the public presentation of the Anambra Governorship Pre-Election Assessment Report, held in Abuja. Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), emphasized that robust enforcement of electoral crime penalties is crucial for rebuilding public trust in Nigeria's electoral system. The partners urged INEC, security agencies, and the EFCC to proactively detect and apprehend offenders throughout campaigns and on election day.

The pre-election report, which analyzed developments from June to September 2025, forms part of the EU-SDGN II’s comprehensive framework. This framework supports various stakeholders, including INEC, the National Assembly and Judiciary, political parties, the media, women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and civil society. The assessment specifically evaluated the readiness of key stakeholders and the overall electoral environment in Anambra State leading up to the November 8 poll. Findings indicate a highly competitive political landscape in Anambra, with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party emerging as the primary contenders.

However, the report raised several critical concerns that threaten the integrity and credibility of the upcoming election. These include pervasive insecurity, the unauthorized use of vigilante groups, and the fragility of electoral infrastructure, a concern exacerbated by incidents of violence during the August 2025 by-election. The partners collectively warned that persistent voter apathy, widespread vote-buying, and the overall security situation continue to undermine electoral integrity in Anambra. They highlighted the alarmingly low voter turnout of 10.2 percent in the 2021 governorship election, which marked the lowest in Nigeria’s electoral history, and cautioned that without immediate interventions to address apathy and vote inducement, participation in 2025 could decline further. The report stressed that in a state with a rich political culture and active civic engagement, the monetization of the electoral process and voter disengagement are deeply troubling, as democracy cannot flourish where votes are bought and citizens feel their choices are inconsequential.

Insecurity was further identified as a major deterrent to voter participation, with the assessment noting reports of cult-related violence, kidnappings, and disinformation campaigns fostering fear and mistrust among the electorate. Gaps in security coordination were also highlighted, with concerns that restricted movement and intimidation could compromise the election's credibility if not effectively addressed. To counter these threats and ensure a safe and inclusive election, the partners recommended the exclusion of non-statutory security outfits, such as vigilantes, from election duties. Simultaneously, they advocated for reinforcing the neutrality and professionalism of the police and other security personnel, urging the deployment of well-trained, impartial officers to volatile local government areas.

Regarding INEC's operational aspects, the report commended the commission for its improved registration process, which successfully added over 168,000 new voters, predominantly women and young people. Despite this achievement, persistent operational and logistical lapses remained a concern. These included delays in the opening of polling units, malfunctions of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and limited accessibility for persons with disabilities. The EU-SDGN partners called upon INEC to strengthen its logistics chain, guarantee the timely delivery of election materials, and deploy adequately trained officials to prevent disruptions. They underscored that "Transition plans must translate into field efficiency. Elections must begin on time, equipment must work, and no voter should be disenfranchised."

The assessment also shed light on challenges faced by journalists covering election-related activities in Anambra, including harassment, intimidation, and restricted access, particularly in high-risk zones. To mitigate these issues, the partners proposed the establishment of a Media-Security Desk at the state level, equipped with clear communication channels to ensure accredited reporters can safely access polling units and collation centers. On the issue of gender participation, while acknowledging Anambra's historical record of women in leadership, the EU-SDGN report expressed regret over the low representation of women in the forthcoming election, with only two female governorship candidates among sixteen parties. It also noted that media coverage often lacks a gender perspective, and female politicians frequently encounter online abuse and discriminatory party structures. The group urged INEC to reinforce its Gender Desk Officers at state and local government levels, ensure at least one female electoral official is assigned per polling unit, and collect gender-disaggregated data on voter registration, accreditation, turnout, and candidacy to promote transparency and evidence-based advocacy.

Similarly, the assessment revealed that despite 86 percent of persons with disabilities (PWDs) having collected their permanent voter cards, polling stations across the state largely remain inaccessible. To address this, a crucial recommendation was for INEC to audit and upgrade polling and registration centers to incorporate essential accessibility features, such as ramps, tactile paths, lowered tables, and assistive tools like braille guides, magnifiers, and sign-language interpreters.

In their comprehensive recommendations, the EU-SDGN partners emphasized the critical need for more robust enforcement of electoral laws, enhanced coordination among security agencies, and intensified voter education campaigns aimed at discouraging vote-buying and combating misinformation. They asserted that the credibility of the Anambra election would be determined not merely by the votes counted, but by the inclusivity and safety of the entire process. The partners concluded by stating, "The credibility of this election will be measured not only by how many votes are counted, but by all who wish to vote and are enabled to vote. Anambra has an opportunity to demonstrate that democracy in Nigeria can be credible, inclusive, and transparent. Promises must now become tangible results." The EU-SDGN II programme, funded by the European Union, is a collaborative effort of sixteen civil society organizations dedicated to advancing democratic governance in Nigeria through evidence-based monitoring, advocacy, and technical support.