Abstract: Elections remain an important source of understanding the political system because electoral activities form the most crucial aspect of political participation. Against this background this study using a combination of descriptive survey design and secondary data examined the Feb 6, 2010 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study reveals that a proper understanding of the interplay of power and forces during the election draws attention to the following salient positions. First, although the election was marred with minor irregularities which resulted to low participation in the election, the electoral outcome still represented the wishes of the electorate. Second, beyond the rhetoric of the campaigns by the political parties and the forces of machine politics, the electorate was guided mainly by issues in their choice of candidates during the election. Thirdly, the management of the electoral process which was also found to be qualitatively poor led to the exclusion of many citizens from participating in the election. To facilitate the emergence of a virile electoral system, the study recommends the need for a general reorientation and mobilization of the electorate to have faith in the electoral process. This requires that efforts should be made at the National level to implement the proposed electoral reforms which many Nigerians see as the key to democratic renewal.