NEWSIE EVENTS MEDIA :
As the countdown to the November 8 Anambra governorship election enters its final stretch, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its full preparedness to ensure a transparent and credible process. The Commission gave the assurance despite experiencing minor network issues during its recent mock accreditation exercise in the state.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), held at the Commission’s headquarters. The session, co-chaired by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, through his representative, Mr. Hassan Abdullahi, focused on final security and logistics arrangements ahead of the November 8 poll.
Prof. Amupitan, presiding over his first ICCES meeting since assuming office, said the Commission’s week-long readiness assessment in Anambra confirmed that preparations were on track for a smooth electoral process.
“Following our comprehensive review across the state, INEC is confident that all systems are set for the polls. Although we experienced some network issues in 12 polling units during the mock accreditation, necessary measures have been taken to ensure seamless performance on election day,” he stated.
According to him, INEC will deploy around 24,000 ad-hoc staff across 5,718 of the 5,720 polling units, noting that voting will not hold in two units with no registered voters. Election results, he explained, would be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government collation centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
The INEC boss also announced an extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise in the state, following reports that only 63.9 per cent of registered voters had collected theirs. “To ensure every eligible voter participates, PVC collection in Anambra has been extended from Wednesday, 29th October to Sunday, 2nd November 2025,” he said.
Amupitan commended security agencies for their cooperation, describing their efforts as vital to the success of the electoral process. “The security agencies have been exceptional in securing the environment. A high-level ICCES session was held in Anambra to review flashpoints, and the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and military have assured us of extensive deployment and coordinated patrols before, during, and after the election,” he added.
On logistics, the INEC Chairman revealed that agreements had been concluded with transport unions such as the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) for smooth movement of materials and personnel. About 200 buses and 83 boats, he said, have been secured for the exercise.
He further urged collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure a credible election while cautioning against vote buying and other electoral malpractices. “We must collectively resist and clamp down on any attempt to induce voters. Vote buying undermines democracy and will not be tolerated,” Amupitan warned.
Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mr. Hassan Abdullahi assured that the Federal Government had strengthened security architecture across Anambra to guarantee safety throughout the electoral period.
“We have reinforced surveillance, boosted intelligence gathering, and deployed additional personnel to prevent any disruption or violence. No individual or group will be allowed to compromise the process,” Abdullahi emphasized.
He also cautioned political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, warning that any act of violence would attract firm and immediate action. “The government will not tolerate violence. Parties and candidates must preach peace and respect the sanctity of the electoral process,” he said.
Abdullahi reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force, as the lead agency for election security, alongside other security outfits, remains fully prepared to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent governorship election in Anambra State.
NEWSIE EVENTS MEDIA TEAM Follow Us On Twitter: @NewsieEvents, Instagram: newsieevents, Facebook: Newsie Events (Subscribe to our YouTube Page: Newsie Eventsng. LinkedIn Newsie Events
Leave a Reply