The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded 75.86 percent of polling unit results from Saturday’s Anambra governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV), even as concerns over voter apathy and alleged vote-buying continue to trail the exercise.
As of 5:10 p.m. on Saturday, checks on the IReV portal showed that results from 4,339 polling units had been uploaded out of 5,720 across the 21 local government areas of the state.
While the election process was largely peaceful, turnout remained low in many areas, and reports of financial inducement of voters surfaced in several polling units.
Governor Charles Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and some other contestants raised alarms over alleged irregularities.
“The only thing we hear that is actually a concern, and we hope won’t happen, is that one party,” Soludo said with a brief laugh after casting his vote. “They have written results to swap during collation, and we hear they’ve met with INEC officials not to upload results immediately so they can manipulate the process.”
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who also voted in Anambra, condemned reports of vote-buying, describing it as a threat to democracy and the future of the state.
“By selling your vote, you’re selling away your schools, your hospitals, your jobs you’re selling away your future,” Obi warned. “It’s very worrisome. I’ve observed elections even within West Africa and never saw such practice. Journalists and citizens must work together to stop this.”
An election observer from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Dimma Nwobi, also confirmed that her team received several reports of financial inducement of voters in parts of the state.
INEC had earlier announced that 2,802,790 registered voters were expected to participate across 5,718 polling units, with sixteen candidates on the ballot. Major contenders include Governor Soludo (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Paul Chukwuma (YPP), George Moghalu (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor (PDP).
Though the electoral umpire described the process as “largely peaceful,” observers said that logistical issues, late arrival of officials in some polling stations, and low voter enthusiasm may affect final turnout figures.
Sorting and counting continued into the night in several local government areas, as party agents and observers closely monitored proceedings.
The Anambra governorship election marks another major test of the electoral process following the introduction of technology-based result transmission through the IReV portal.
As at press time, INEC officials assured the public that results still pending upload would be reflected “shortly” after verification and collation.
