The recently concluded local government elections in Anambra State have been lauded as credible and peaceful by accredited election observers, including the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC). In a post-election statement released on Monday in Awka, IPCRC, along with other observer groups, praised the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) for conducting a free and fair election, despite initial logistical challenges.
The election, held on September 28, 2024, saw accredited observers from IPCRC and its partners deployed across the state's 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs), wards, and polling units to monitor the process. According to Prince Chris Azor, IPCRC Coordinator, and Dr. Kene Chukwu Makwudo, the Secretary, the election day began with some delays due to personnel and logistics issues. However, once the polls commenced, the voting process progressed smoothly without any recorded instances of violence or malpractice.
Despite the late commencement of polls in some areas, ANSIEC showed preparedness and determination to conduct a credible and peaceful election,they stated. The observers noted that voters were identified from the register, and voting occurred peacefully, with party agents, security personnel, and accredited election observers present at polling stations to ensure transparency.
One of the highlights of the election was the orderly setup of polling units, with presiding officers displaying election materials to voters and stakeholders before the start of voting. However, the observers pointed out that some polling units lacked voting cubicles, which are typically required to ensure voter privacy.
Accreditation and voting were conducted in an orderly manner, with voters casting their ballots for Chairman and Councillor positions. The observers commended ANSIEC for its efforts to prioritize Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and the elderly during the voting process. However, they noted the absence of braille materials for the visually impaired, highlighting a need for greater inclusivity in future elections.
While the election was praised for its smooth and peaceful execution, the observers reported a relatively low voter turnout compared to the number of registered voters in the state. This prompted the IPCRC to recommend early commencement of voter education and sensitization campaigns to improve turnout in future elections.
The counting, collation, and declaration of results went smoothly at ward and local government collation centers. Observers did not report any incidents of overvoting, vote-buying, or other electoral malpractices. Security personnel from the Nigerian Police Force, NSCDC, and Road Safety officials were present at most polling units to maintain order, and no incidents of conflict or violence were recorded.
The presence of party agents from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) in most polling units also contributed to the transparent conduct of the election. Despite the overall peaceful nature of the election, the observers noted the presence of some individuals loitering around polling areas who had no official roles in the process.
The IPCRC and its partners commended ANSIEC for organizing a credible and peaceful election after more than a decade without local government elections in Anambra State. The group also praised the role of security agencies, political parties, the media, and civil society organizations for their cooperation in ensuring a peaceful election day.
In their closing remarks, the observers recommended the early commencement of voter education and sensitization to improve voter participation in future elections. They emphasized that Anambra's local government election serves as a positive example of how electoral processes can be conducted peacefully and transparently, even in a complex political landscape.
With Anambra's LG elections now concluded, the state and its residents can look forward to a more engaged and democratic future at the local government level.