As the people of Anambra State head to the polls tomorrow to elect their next governor, the CLEEN Foundation has activated its Election Security Support Centre (ESSC) in Awka.
The organization has also called on all stakeholders — security agencies, political actors, the media, and voters — to embrace peace, professionalism, and credibility throughout the exercise.
Addressing journalists on Friday, Cleen Foundation said the off-cycle election, involving over 2.6 million registered voters across 21 Local Government Areas and 5,720 polling units, is a significant political moment for Anambra.
It also described it as a test of Nigeria’s electoral security management at the subnational level, two years after the 2023 general elections.
Acting Executive Director, Peter Maduoma, said, “The build-up to the polls has been intense, with heightened political activity, isolated security incidents, and increased public expectations.
“These dynamics underscore the need for vigilance, professional conduct, and coordinated security management.”
The ESSC, domiciled at MaxBe Continental Hotel, Awka, will coordinate the deployment of CLEEN’s trained election observers across all LGAs. It will also run virtually through CLEEN’s Abuja office to allow real-time data transmission and analysis.
Standardized Checklist for observers
According to CLEEN, observers deployed to the field will use a standardized checklist developed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police Service Commission (PSC), to track issues such as security deployment, crowd control, logistics, compliance with human rights, and adherence to codes of conduct.
As reports are transmitted through the CLEEN mobile application, election and security experts stationed at the ESSC will verify incidents and escalate confirmed cases to relevant institutions — including INEC, PSC, and the Nigeria Police Force — for immediate intervention.
CLEEN said its approach builds on lessons from the 2023 general elections, where the platform processed over 1,200 incident reports nationwide — a majority linked to security deployment, logistics challenges, and voter intimidation.
According to him, those insights will be critical in helping reduce election-day tensions and improving rapid response in cases of threats or irregularities.
The Foundation is also collaborating with the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, media organisations, and other stakeholders to ensure timely dissemination of credible information.
It has held advocacy visits to security agencies and INEC in Awka to reinforce the need for transparency, accountability, and neutrality.
High-risk LGAs
CLEEN raised concerns about high-risk LGAs including Nnewi South, Ihiala, Ogbaru, Ekwusigo, Ayamelum, Awka South, Onitsha North and Orumba South — areas that have previously witnessed tension or sporadic incidents during elections.
The organisation further highlighted findings from its Anambra Election Security Threat Assessment, which shows high voter scepticism: 71.7 percent of respondents believe the risk of violence in the election is high.
Political intolerance, misinformation across social media platforms, and fear of security agents’ neutrality are among the key risk factors identified.
Despite commending the improved coordination under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), CLEEN advised security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, especially in rural and riverine communities, and ensure strict adherence to the code of conduct for election duty.
Equally, it urged political parties and candidates to refrain from hate speech, incitement, and inducement. “Electoral integrity can only thrive in an environment of peace, fairness, and mutual respect,” the release noted.
The organisation appealed to citizens to come out en masse and vote peacefully, reminding them that voter turnout in the 2021 Anambra governorship election was just 10.4 percent — one of the lowest in recent electoral history.
Power with voters
“The power to determine Anambra’s future lies in the hands of voters. Elections are not worth the blood of any citizen,” Maduoma said.
With the ESSC officially opened, CLEEN Foundation said it will remain accessible to the media, election observers, and stakeholders throughout the period, and urged all actors to prioritise early warning, proactive engagement, and the safety of security agents and election workers.
“It is time for Anambra to show that peaceful and credible elections are possible,” the organisation emphasised.
