IPC, CEMESO Launch Anambra Election Observation Hub to Safeguard Journalists, Ensure Transparent Polls
By Chizoba Njaka
The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have launched the Anambra Election Observation Hub to monitor the governorship election in real-time, ensuring the safety of journalists and promoting transparent and credible polling.
The hub, a coalition of key EU-SDGN II implementing partners, will track journalist safety risks, carry out electoral fact-checking, and provide real-time analysis on radio and television to promote voter confidence and address emerging issues.
Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, stated that the Anambra governorship election faces traditional and digital threats, including coordinated misinformation targeting journalists. "Through the IPC Safety and Projection of Journalists (SPJ) and 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.
CEMESO's Executive Director, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, added that the initiative's data-driven observation will strengthen media accountability and ensure voters have access to trustworthy information in real-time.
The hub will host press briefings, field monitoring, and live media assessment across traditional and digital platforms, and has established a rapid response mechanism to identify, escalate, and resolve election-related incidents.
With over 2.8 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units in 21 local government areas on November 8, 2025, the organisations urge electoral stakeholders to strengthen protections for journalists throughout the polls.