Voters in Anambra state in south-eastern Nigeria are preparing to elect a new governor on 8 November 2025.
The election is organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec), which has repeatedly warned against forms of electoral malpractice, including vote-buying, ballot box snatching and underage voting.
Early in November, Anambra’s sitting governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, was accused of promising cash rewards to supporters whose wards secured his re-election under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the party that has governed the state since 2006.
Meanwhile, Nigerian president Bola Tinubu has endorsed All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Nicholas Ukachukwu and his running mate, Uche Ekwunife.
Tinubu’s own election in 2023 was widely criticised for reported irregularities, raising public concern as Anambra heads into another crucial poll.
The Electoral Act 2022 sets out the rules and regulations that guide the electoral process. Uwadineke Charles Kalu, a professor of comparative constitutional law at Nnamdi Azikwe University in Anambra state, told Africa Check that offences such as vote buying, impersonation and voting by unqualified voters, among others, are cited in the act, which has been supplemented by Inec guidelines.
We explain what these offences are and highlight some others prohibited by the law.
Before an election
Voter registration offences
Inec’s voter registration exercise took place in July 2025. A total of 2.8 million Anambra residents registered to vote.
Damaging, removing or changing any registration notice or document is punishable by law.
The law also prohibits impersonation or registering in a constituency where you are not eligible to vote, registering more than once, publishing false information to stop others from registering, making false entries in registration documents, obstructing or impersonating registration officials, forging registration cards, or conducting registration outside authorised centres.
These offences can attract fines of up to N1 million (approximately US$693), imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
Nomination-related offences
In June 2025, Inec published the final list of candidates contesting the election.
The top candidates are the current governor, Soludo of the APGA, Ukachukwu of APC and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Under the Electoral Act, it is illegal to fake or damage nomination papers. It is also illegal to consent to being a candidate if you are not eligible to run. According to Nigeria’s constitution, a person is qualified for election as a governor if they are a citizen of Nigeria by birth, above the age of 35, a member of a political party and educated up to school certificate level (or its equivalent).
These offences are punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment.
Unauthorised manufacturing or possession of election materials
The Electoral Act makes it an offence to make, import, keep or distribute ballot boxes, voting booths or related items without proper authorisation.
The illegal possession, printing or production of ballot papers is also strictly prohibited.
These offences carry a maximum fine of N50 million (approximately $34,668), a minimum prison term of 10 years, or both.
Disruptive conduct at political meetings
Political meetings are important for promoting democracy in Nigeria’s multi-party system. However, political groups occasionally try to disrupt each other’s events. Engaging in disorderly behaviour or carrying an offensive weapon at a political meeting can lead to a fine of up to N500,000, up to 12 months in prison, or both.
Illegal use of voter’s card
A permanent voter’s card (PVC) is issued to people who have successfully registered to vote. According to Inec, 2.7 million voters have collected their PVCs ahead of the 8 November election, representing 98.8% of all registered voters.
PVCs are for personal use only and cannot be shared. Giving it to anyone other than an authorised officer is illegal. It’s also against the law to hold multiple cards or to buy, sell or trade them. Offenders may be fined up to N1 million, jailed for 12 months, or both.
Bribery and conspiracy
Bribery – offering gifts, money or other benefits – to influence how someone votes, or have them abstain from voting, carries various fines, imprisonment lengths, or both. Those who encourage and accept bribery also face penalties.
Vote buying is a common form of electoral malpractice. During the 2022 Ekiti governorship election, field observers documented 41 instances of vote buying and selling at polling units across six local government areas. During the 2024 Edo election, police arrested eight suspected vote buyers.
On election day
Impersonation and ineligible voting
Inec has said it will test an upgraded bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) during the Anambra election. The system’s devices will help check PVCs against fingerprints and other data, reducing the chance of impersonation and ineligible voting.
Attempting to vote without being qualified, or encouraging someone else to do the same, can result in a fine of up to N500,000, imprisonment for 12 months, or both. These penalties also apply to voting more than once or helping someone else to do so.
Similarly, using another person’s voter card at a polling unit, or deliberately attempting to vote in a constituency where your name is not on the register, can attract a fine of N100,000 (about $69), six months’ imprisonment, or both.
Obstruction of voting
Votes must be cast in secret to protect voter privacy. Breaking this rule weakens the confidentiality of the vote. While in the voting booth, it is illegal to talk to or disturb other voters. Violators may face a fine of up to N100,000 , imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
Prohibited behaviours
Voters are prohibited from carrying offensive weapons within 300 metres of a polling unit.
They are also prohibited from wearing or showing any sign, picture or card of a political party. Using vehicles with party colours or symbols, hanging around polling units, or sounding a siren are also not allowed.
Breaking these rules may result in a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for six months.
Behaving disorderly or provoking others to do so attracts a fine of N500,000 (approximately $347), imprisonment for 12 months, or both.
Additionally, taking or destroying any election materials can lead to a prison sentence of up to 24 months.
After an election
Declaring false results
Publishing or declaring a false election result carries a penalty of up to 36 months’ imprisonment.
Regarding this offence, Kalu referenced a well-known case in which a University of Uyo professor was convicted for publishing false election results after the 2019 state house of assembly election in Akwa Ibom North-West.
A certificate of return is an Inec document declaring the winner of an election. A person who provides a false certificate may face a prison term of up to three years, with no option for a fine.
Anambra’s 2021 governor election saw issues related to administration and security, and electoral malpractice in the form of vote buying. With election legislation published since then, several offences could land voters in trouble with the law. When voters are familiar with prohibited offences, it helps ensure a free and fair process.
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