The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), has expressed concern that the endorsement of governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State by the Joint Transporter Forum could undermine perceptions of neutrality in the November 8 governorship election, owing to the role they play in conveying sensitive and non-sensitive materials during elections.

KDI said since INEC relies heavily on these unions —NURTW, RTEAN, Keke, Okada, and Bus Unions — for material transportation, their partisan alignment could undermine perceptions of neutrality, risk delays, and erode public confidence in the process.

Bukola Idowu, Executive Director, expressed the organisation’s concern at a pre-election briefing held in Akwa on Friday.

“The endorsement of the incumbent governor by the Joint Transporter Forum, comprising NURTW, RTEAN, Keke, Okada, and Bus Unions, raises a significant logistical red flag,” KDI worries.

INEC’s Preparedness

The KDI, while noting that INEC has largely demonstrated logistical readiness, some operational gaps persist.

“KDI’s comparative analysis of INEC’s preparedness for the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election against the 2024 Ondo Off-Cycle Election reveals a mixed outlook on operational readiness. 

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“The training of ad-hoc officials concluded only on November 6, 2025, two days before the election, compared to a timelier completion in Ondo 2024 left no room for mock drills or refresher sessions, limiting INEC’s ability to evaluate the competence of ad-hoc personnel and replace unfit or unavailable staff ahead of election day.”

The CSO, however, commended INEC for the  “continuous engagement with stakeholders and improvements in technology usage, particularly through the BVAS and IREV platforms,” saying that it “remains positive indicators that, if effectively managed, can mitigate these risks and enhance the credibility of the process.”

Pre-election Observation, Warning

KDI observed that voter turnout in Anambra has fallen by over 58% in the last eight years, attributing this decline to insecurity, logistical and geographical challenges, warning that “special attention must then be paid to these areas lest Anambra risks experiencing another historically low voter turnout in tomorrow’s governorship election.

“Despite consistent growth in voter registration.It will appear that voter turnout is falling at the same rate at which voter registration was growing. This means that while more citizens are registering to vote, fewer are turning out on election day, a troubling trend that points to deepening voter apathy and declining trust in the electoral process.”

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On intolerance during election, KDI said while the overall security risk across the state remains moderate, several localized flashpoints persist in areas historically prone to electoral tension, political rivalry, and voter intimidation.

“The analysis identifies Aguata and Ihiala as severe-risk areas, with a high likelihood of violence or disruption on election day. 

“Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ogbaru are categorized as high-risk LGAs, while the remaining local governments are assessed as being at a moderate risk level. 

“In practical terms, this means that LGAs classified as severe or high risk face a greater probability of experiencing election-related disturbances, ranging from logistical delays and voter suppression to violent clashes, unless proactive measures are taken. 

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“Conversely, moderate-risk areas could be relatively peaceful, provided preventive actions are maintained and early warning signals are properly addressed.”

KDI, therefore, urged security agencies to uphold professionalism, neutrality, and restraint in their election-day operations.

“Security deployments should prioritize visible but non-intimidating presence in identified flashpoints, timely intelligence sharing, and rapid response coordination to ensure the safety of voters, election officials, and materials across all 21 LGAs,” KDI noted.

KDI, however, expressed optimism of a largely peaceful election, just as it emphasized that the “credibility of the process will depend on timely deployment, transparent procedures, and restraint by political actors and their supporters.”

The CSO also called on eligible voters to come out peacefully, exercise their civic rights, and resist any attempt to disrupt the process or sell their votes.