Election observer and civic advocate Samson Itodo has attributed the low voter turnout in Saturday’s Anambra State gubernatorial election to the failure of political parties to meaningfully engage citizens.

Speaking during a Channels TV interview, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa criticized parties for neglecting their core responsibility of mobilizing and connecting with voters, as turnout hovered around 45% despite largely peaceful proceedings.

“If voters don’t turn up, political parties bear full responsibility—poor communication, lack of connection, or eroded trust,” Itodo said. He emphasized that voters must be treated as the “main clients” of democracy, warning that superficial campaign efforts and transactional politics discourage long-term civic participation. “Democracy thrives on involvement; parties must rebuild beyond campaigns,” he added, noting that some polling units in Anambra recorded turnout below 30%.

The election, which featured incumbent Governor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) against 15 challengers including Labour Party’s George Moghalu and APC’s Nicholas Ukachukwu, saw strong rural participation but urban delays due to Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) failures. Soludo, voting in Aguata LGA, praised the process but condemned reports of vote buying in Nnewi South, where voters were allegedly paid ₦15,000.

Despite the deployment of 1,200 EFCC agents and 700 police officers, vote buying persisted, with 15 arrests confirmed. Observers, including Itodo, expressed concern over lax enforcement and the normalization of inducements. “When elections become marketplaces, citizens lose faith in the system,” he warned.

As INEC continues collation at its Awka headquarters, with results expected by Wednesday, Itodo urged parties to reflect on their role in rebuilding democratic trust. “This election is not just about who wins—it’s about whether voters believe their voices matter,” he said.