ElectHER, a pan-African organisation focused on enhancing women’s participation in economic and public life, says there have been widespread cases voter inducement in the Anambra governorship election.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Ibijoke Faborode, CEO of ElectHER, said while the election recorded early poll openings and strong turnout among women in some areas, incidents of voter inducement were recorded.
She said the practice was not only widespread but was being carried out openly despite the presence of observers and security operatives.
“What is peculiar about Anambra state is that we’re seeing open vote trading. The audacity and the boldness of vote trading, the dimension, is what is surprising a lot of people,” she said.
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“You’re openly seeing people displaying cash on the ground. These are things that are quite visible. Party agents are exchanging money. Women are involved, youth are involved as well. It’s the dimension and the magnitude of vote trading that’s characterised the election.”
Faborode noted that while vote-buying has been seen in previous election cycles, the level of visibility in this poll suggests there may be a deeper problem.
She said the trend reflects “monetised politics” and the persistence of “do-or-die” election strategies, which undermine democratic choice.
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“It shows that people have monetised or commercialised elections. It’s not about candidates who can perform. It’s monetised politics,” she said.
On election logistics, Faborode said there were improvements in early opening of polls, with some voting units active as early as 7:00 am.
She described the improvement as “a sign of institutional preparedness”.
She also noted strong participation from women voters and female officials deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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She said some polling units, however, still opened late, leading to agitation among voters in affected communities.
