The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a human rights organisation in Abuja, has predicted that low voter turnout and security threats may mar the success of the Anambra gubernatorial election scheduled for November 6.

In a report titled “Low Voter Turn-Out Expected Amid IPOB Fears”, CDD says, “The activities of so-called ‘unknown gunmen’ and the sit-at-home order pronounced by IPOB appear to be the most significant factors that could affect the conduct of the election”.

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CDD believes that the “slew of ‘unknown gunmen’ attacks in the state, often attributed to IPOB and seemingly targeting the key state institution involved in conducting elections will sustain a heightened level of apprehension among INEC staff and the general public as the election approaches”.

Although election would be held in some parts of the state, says CDD, “The heavy deployment of security forces and the acrimonious political competition leading up to the poll will depress voter turnout, leading to an even higher level of voter apathy than has typically been witnessed in Anambra elections”.

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According to the report, voter turnout might fuel vote-buying, rigging and other election malpractices which have been difficult to defeat in susbsequent elections in the country.

It reads, “The heightened possibility of low voter turnout risks weakening the mandate of Anambra’s next governor, given the likelihood that he will be elected by only a fraction of the entire voting population”.

Anambra has witnessed a succession of violent attacks and killings in the run up to the November 6 election. On Friday, a gun duel between troops of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and armed men suspected to be members of the Indigenous People Biafra (IPOB) led to the death of five, including a security agent.

In October, IPOB declared a one-week sit-at-home, beginning from November 5, the eve of the election, if Nnamdi Kanu, the group’s leader is not released from government custody before November 4.

Kanu is being tried for treason and terrorism, among others. The federal government also accused him of killing Dr. Chike Akunyili, the husband of late Prof. Dora Akunyili, a former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).