Video: Alleged vote buying, security lapses reported in #AnambraDecides2025
Election, INEC ballot box
Abdullateef Fowewe
An election observer with the Civil Society Situation Room, Dimma Nwobi, has raised serious concerns over vote buying and security shortcomings during Saturday’s Anambra governorship election.
Video: Alleged vote buying, security lapses reported in #AnambraDecides2025
At Central School Oto, Nwobi reported that voting began earlier than scheduled, around 8:10 a.m., despite the official start time being 8:30 a.m.
She also highlighted misinformation given to voters and alleged that “party agents were collecting voters’ cards, submitting them to INEC officials, and retrieving the completed forms — a process she described as vote buying.”
She added, “One party agent was visibly angry and was seen confronting INEC officials.”
Security presence was notably inadequate, with only one police officer observed across four polling units, seated far from the voting area, making it difficult to maintain order.
Nwobi confirmed that these issues have been escalated to authorities, despite earlier statements from the state Commissioner of Police promising that anyone caught engaging in vote buying or selling would face arrest.
The Civil Society Situation Room reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitor the election and report any further irregularities to ensure transparency and fairness.
