SB Morgen Intelligence (SBM), a think tank in Nigeria, has reported a potential low voter turnout for the 2021 Anambra State governorship election.

The election is scheduled to hold on 06 November amidst security concerns.

In its recent election study, titled, Will They Vote? A look at potential apathy in the 2021 Anambra Election’, the think tank called for the strengthening of security in the state.

The report, according to the organisation, contains findings of its survey of 663 randomly selected respondents from the three senatorial districts of the state.

The report noted declining confidence in democracy among the respondents, with 68 percent of them saying they were unlikely to vote in the election due to issues tied to security, voter card, and activities of secessionist groups.

‘We think that the 06 November governorship elections in Anambra will set a new low in voter turnout in not only the state but in governorship elections nationwide’, the report said.

‘High voter apathy has been worsened by insecurity and escalating violence in the state, especially as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is opposed to conducting elections in the region until the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

‘0.6 [percent] of our survey respondents are not registered voters, however, 68 [percent] of the 99.4 [percent] said that they would not vote in the 06 November, 2021 election’.

According to the report, the secessionist groups were cited by 54 percent of respondents as reason for their decision not to vote, while 26 percent of respondents said they would not vote because they had lost confidence in the electoral process.

‘[Nine] percent of respondents believe that the election has already been rigged and so their votes would not count, while [six] percent are unwilling to vote because of unnamed security issues, not necessarily related to IPOB’, the report read.

A recent election briefing by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) also suggested that the context of insecurity and support for IPOB’s cause among other factors will depress voter turnout.

However, in a press release, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, has called on the public not to panic.

‘The security forces are in Anambra to protect our people to enable them to vote without intimidation and fear and to enable them to go about their legitimate businesses’, Adinuba said.

Source: SBM

Photo source: Commonwealth Secretariat