Anambra poll: Observer group predicts run-off, tight election

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega
| credits: File copy

A civil rights organization, Election Monitor, has predicted a run-off election in the Anambra state governorship election scheduled for next Saturday (November 16)

About four political parties, Peoples Democratic Party, All Peoples Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance and Labour Party are to field candidates for the election.

According to EM, the election would be very tight because of the strengths of all the candidates in all the senatirial districts and local governments in the state.

The National coordinator of EM, Mr. Abiodun Ajilola, stated this on Monday in Abuja during the public presentation of its findings from the pre-election opinion polls for the 2013 Anambra State governorship election.

He said, “From the opinion polls we have carried out and from what we have seen on ground, there are four candidates in the Anambra state governorship election that are very formidable. Among these four candidates, each of them has very defined strengths. For one candidate to win at least 25 per cent in all the 14 LGs might not be easy because it is so tight.

“Looking at how things are going, there is a possibility of a run-off in the Anambra State governorship election because it is possible that not one candidate will be able to satisfy that condition, looking at the strengths of the candidates on ground.

“It may not happen this way because election is not all about calculation; there are other things which happen that determine election results. None of the four candidates is small, it’s not going to be easy for one person to hold sway, it’s going to be very competitive. That is why I say there may be a run-off.”