Awka, Anambra - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially begun the collation of results from the 5,718 polling units across Anambra State following the conclusion of the 2025 governorship election held on Saturday, November 8.

The process marks a critical step toward determining the state's next governor, with officials and party agents gathered at collation centers amid heightened anticipation.

The Anambra State governorship election, dubbed #AnambraDecides2025, saw eligible voters across the state’s 21 local government areas cast their ballots to elect a successor to the incumbent governor.

Polling units opened early on Saturday, with INEC officials and security personnel deployed to ensure a smooth process. However, the election was not without challenges, including reports of poor voter turnout, logistical issues, and isolated incidents of violence, as documented by election observers and media outlets.

According to reports, voting commenced in some polling units, with INEC officials arriving in Awka, the state capital, to oversee proceedings.

Similarly, there were reports of low turnout in certain areas, noting that at one polling unit with 655 registered voters, only 158 participated, reflecting broader concerns about voter apathy.

As of 02:20 AM on Sunday, November 9, INEC has initiated the collation of results at designated state collation centers.

DAILY SOUTH NIGERIA understands that while no official schedule for the collation had been publicized, media personnel and party agents were already present at the centers, awaiting updates.

The INEC’s IREV (INEC Result Viewing) Portal reportedly shows 99.39% of results from 5,685 polling units uploaded, suggesting that the collation process is nearing completion, with only a small number of units yet to report.

Election observers, including the Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD-West Africa), have urged INEC to strengthen security around collation centers following complaints of logistical hitches and alleged vote-buying incidents captured on camera in areas like Ama Ajana Square, Anambra East.

Despite these challenges, stakeholders have commended INEC’s preparedness, with sorting and counting conducted peacefully in most polling units.

The election process was marred by reports of poor network connectivity and logistical delays in some regions, such as Alor in Idemili South, where smooth conduct was affected. Additionally, the absence of police officers at certain polling units raised security concerns, though security personnel were present during result announcements in others, ensuring transparency.

A coalition of accredited election observers praised INEC for its efforts, while ElectHER, a gender-sensitive NGO, highlighted the participation of women voters and candidates as a positive development.

However, incidents such as the injury of an NYSC member and a Yiaga Africa observer at Ihiala Local Government Secretariat underscored the need for enhanced safety measures.

Political parties and candidates have expressed mixed reactions as the collation progresses.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have deployed agents to monitor the process, with some alleging irregularities that they plan to address through official channels.

Meanwhile, INEC has assured the public of its commitment to a free, fair, and credible election, promising to address any reported issues promptly.

The collation of results is expected to continue throughout Sunday, with a final declaration anticipated later in the day or early Monday, depending on the volume of outstanding reports, as the outcome will shape Anambra State’s political landscape, with implications for the state’s development and national politics.

INEC has called on citizens to remain patient and avoid spreading unverified information as the process unfolds.