The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have reaffirmed their commitment to real-time monitoring of the forthcoming Anambra governorship election through the Anambra Election Observation Hub, with the goal of safeguarding journalists, verifying electoral information, and promoting transparent and credible polling.

The election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, will see over 2.8 million registered voters casting their ballots across 5,718 polling units in 21 local government areas.

Ahead of the polls, the two media organisations, along with their partners, have featured on three radio programmes and one television show, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to strengthen protections for journalists covering the election.

They stressed that such safeguards are critical to ensuring journalists’ safety, operational freedom, and access to accurate information factors they said are essential for independent reporting that reinforces electoral integrity and public trust. The groups also called for increased voter education to enhance public understanding of the voting process.

Supported by the European Union (EU) under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU–SDGN) Programme Phase II, the Anambra Election Observation Hub seeks to enhance collaboration, transparency, and accountability among the media, civil society, INEC, and security agencies. The Hub will facilitate information sharing and provide rapid responses to issues affecting electoral integrity.

During the observation period, the Hub will conduct press briefings, field monitoring, and live media assessments across traditional and digital platforms. It will also track risks to journalists’ safety, carry out electoral fact-checking to counter misinformation, and provide real-time analysis on radio and television to promote voter confidence and address emerging election-related issues.

A key feature of the initiative is its rapid response mechanism, designed to swiftly identify, escalate, and resolve incidents such as threats to journalists, voter suppression, and disinformation. Observers deployed across all 21 local government areas will provide real-time reports to guide interventions and inform public statements.

The joint initiative by IPC and CEMESO follows extensive pre-election analysis conducted between June 2024 and October 2025, which identified significant safety risks for journalists covering the Anambra polls. The analysis revealed that 18 journalists were reportedly detained by vigilante operatives in Nnewi during the Anambra South senatorial by-election on August 16, 2025, with similar incidents of assault and disinformation recorded in Nnewi South, Aguata, Ihiala, and Orumba South.

These findings, the organisations said, underscore the urgent need for authorities and electoral stakeholders to guarantee a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their duties without fear or interference.

Speaking on the planned activities, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, said the Anambra election presents both traditional and emerging digital risks, including coordinated misinformation campaigns targeting journalists.

“Through the IPC Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) and the Election Observation Hub, we are using real-time risk analytics to map threat hotspots, verify information, and protect both reporters and the integrity of the information ecosystem,” he said.

He added that the Hub’s hotlines are 0813 277 6441 and 0706 945 1562.

Also speaking, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, noted that the initiative’s data-driven observation will strengthen media accountability and ensure that voters have access to credible information.

“By tracking misinformation networks and amplifying verified reporting via Halt Fake and the Nigerian Democratic Report, we are ensuring that trustworthy information reaches the public in real time,” he stated.

In line with their broader commitment to enhancing media professionalism and resilience, IPC and CEMESO have developed several resource materials for journalists, including: Broadcast Media Coverage of Elections-Related Politics in Nigeria, Guidelines on Fact-Checking Electoral Misinformation and Disinformation, Journalists Safety & Professional Advisory, 2025 Media Safety and Freedom Status Assessment, and Media Guidelines for Disability-Inclusive Coverage of Elections in Nigeria.

The organisations also urged journalists to review other key resources such as the Nigeria Media Code of Election Coverage, Resource Manual for Reporting Elections and Democratic Accountability, and the FOI Manual for Reporting Electoral Campaign Finances to strengthen professionalism and promote inclusive, conflict-sensitive, and public interest reporting.

The Anambra Election Observation Hub is a coalition of key EU-SDGN II implementing partners, including Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, ElectHER, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and TAF Africa, alongside IPC and CEMESO.

The EU-SDGN II Programme works across six interconnected components, supporting INEC, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, political parties, civil society, and the media. Through these initiatives, the European Union continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, fostering inclusive governance, and ensuring that all voices are represented and heard.