The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed confidence that the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election will hold seamlessly, despite minor network issues recorded during a recent mock accreditation exercise.
INEC conducted the mock accreditation in selected areas to test the functionality of its Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) ahead of the November 8 poll.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance in Abuja on Tuesday while addressing members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at INEC headquarters. The meeting, co-chaired by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Mr. Hassan Abdullahi, reviewed final security and logistical preparations for the election.
Amupitan, who presided over his first ICCES session since assuming office, said a week-long readiness assessment across Anambra confirmed that all arrangements were in place for a credible and hitch-free exercise.
“Following our comprehensive readiness assessment across the state, INEC is confident of its full preparedness for the polls,” he stated. “Although we encountered some network challenges during the mock accreditation in 12 polling units, efforts are underway to ensure a seamless election on November 8. We are ready for large-scale deployment.”
According to him, the Commission will deploy about 24,000 personnel across 5,718 of the state’s 5,720 polling units, noting that voting will not take place in two units with no registered voters. Election results will be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government collation centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
Amupitan also announced an extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection period in Anambra following reports that only 63.9 per cent of registered voters had collected their cards.
“To ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised, the Commission has extended PVC collection in Anambra from October 29 to November 2, 2025,” he said.
The INEC Chairman commended the cooperation of security agencies, describing their coordination as essential to the success of the election.
“The security agencies have played a crucial role in securing the environment, without which elections would be impossible in some areas. A high-level ICCES meeting was held in Anambra to review operations and monitor flashpoints. The Police, DSS, NSCDC, and military have assured us of heavy deployment and coordinated patrols before, during, and after the election,” Amupitan said.
He further revealed that INEC had finalized arrangements with transport unions, including the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), to facilitate the movement of personnel and materials. A total of 200 buses and 83 boats, he said, had been secured for the exercise.
While urging collaboration among security agencies and other electoral stakeholders, Amupitan warned against vote buying, stressing that law enforcement agencies would deal decisively with anyone caught engaging in the act.
“Any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election must be resisted and curtailed. We must work together to combat vote buying and safeguard the integrity of our democracy,” he cautioned.
FG Warns Politicians Against Violence
Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mr. Hassan Abdullahi said the Federal Government had implemented extensive security measures to guarantee the safety of voters, election officials, and materials throughout the electoral process.
“We have enhanced surveillance, increased deployment of security personnel, and strengthened intelligence gathering to prevent any attempt by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the process,” he said.
Abdullahi also issued a stern warning to political actors and their supporters against any form of violence, emphasizing that breaches of peace would attract swift and decisive action.
“Violence will not be tolerated. Political parties and candidates must promote peace and ensure their supporters act responsibly. Any act of violence will be met with a firm, uncompromising response,” he stated.
