EU Reaffirms Support for Credible, Inclusive Anambra Governorship Election

… Deploys 150 election observers for disability access

The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections in Nigeria as it backs Saturday’s governorship poll in Anambra State through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme.

The EU said its intervention enables civil society partners to deploy election observers, promote peacebuilding, strengthen gender and disability inclusion, counter misinformation, and boost public confidence in the electoral process.

Seven of the 16 EU-SDGN implementing partners — The Kukah Centre, Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), ElectHER, and TAF Africa — are already on the ground in Anambra. They are operating from a unified Election Observation Hub established to coordinate activities and ensure message alignment throughout the poll.

“This election is an opportunity to demonstrate that inclusion and credibility are shared democratic standards,” the partners said. “Working from a single hub enables us to coordinate evidence, avoid duplication, and deliver a unified assessment of the process.”

A major focus of the EU-SDGN support is disability inclusion. The programme has deployed 150 trained observers to assess accessibility for persons with disabilities and 25 sign-language interpreters stationed at polling units with the highest number of registered deaf voters.

Observers will monitor the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) compliance with provisions for magnifying glasses, braille ballot guides, ramps, and priority queues, as required under the Electoral Act and National Disability Act.

Under its gender and youth inclusion component, the Nigeria Women Trust Fund and ElectHER have deployed over 250 observers to track women’s participation as voters, candidates, party agents, and polling officials.

“Our aim is not only to record exclusion but to provide evidence that will drive institutional reform after the election,” the cohort said.

On election integrity, 250 Watching the Vote observers have been deployed, supported by a real-time data centre in Awka. The system has undergone simulations to test reporting speed, verification processes, and misinformation response.

In addition, more than 40 journalists and fact-checkers are positioned across the state to counter misinformation and enhance media transparency.

“Election misinformation spreads faster than results,” the group noted. “Our task is to ensure verified information reaches the public with equal speed.”

Earlier this week, the EU-SDGN facilitated the signing of the Anambra Election Peace Accord, endorsed by all candidates and political parties.

“The Peace Accord is not the conclusion but the beginning of responsibility. Candidates must act peacefully and respect the will of the voters,” the partners said.

The EU-SDGN is an EU-funded, Nigerian civil society-led initiative designed to strengthen credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections across the country.