The Anambra State governorship election has officially commenced at some polling units across Anambra State as residents turn out to elect a new governor.
According to reports obtained by Politics Nigeria from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and independent election monitors, many polling units opened early, though some experienced minor logistical issues and low voter turnout in the initial hours.
In a post on its official X handle, INEC confirmed that voting had started in parts of Aguata Local Government Area.
“Voting ongoing @ PU 014, RA Achina 02, Aguata LGA, Anambra South Senatorial District,” INEC tweeted, using the hashtag #AnambraDecides2025.
At Demonstration Primary School, Agu Oka Ward 01, Awka South LGA, polling units 001 and 016 were fully prepared ahead of the official start time.
“Polling Units 001 and 016 are fully set up and ready, with officials and materials in place, awaiting the commencement of voting,” CJID reported at 8:03 a.m.
However, in Orumba North LGA, Ndiukwueni Ward 013, Polling Unit 008, CJID noted that while election officials were present, security personnel had not yet arrived as of 8:06 a.m.
“The polling unit has been set up. Only the Presiding Officer (PO) and Assistant Presiding Officer I (APO I) are present at the moment. No security personnel are on the ground yet,” the report said.
In Nnewi North LGA, Akwuegbo Central School, several polling units — including 037, 09, 07, 10, 08, and 039 — were ready by 9:06 a.m., but observers reported that voters had not yet arrived.
CJID documented frustrations among applicants for ad-hoc staff who were not selected for duty.
“Some people who applied as ad-hoc staff, but were unfortunately not picked, are seen clustered around the compound, expressing frustration over spending time, money on transportation, and attending training only to find out they were not hired,” the observer report noted.
In Nnewi South LGA, Umunuko Central School 1 (New Site), Ukpor Ward 1, voting in polling units 6, 7, and 8 began late due to the absence of an election agent, eventually starting at 8:39 a.m., slightly behind the official 8:30 a.m. start time.
“Voting eventually began at exactly 8:39 a.m., which is slightly behind the official commencement time,” CJID reported.
