The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured voters of its full preparedness for the upcoming Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for November 8, despite minor technical hitches recorded during its recent mock accreditation exercise.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja while addressing the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting, held at the Commission’s headquarters. The session, co-chaired by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Mr. Hassan Abdullahi, reviewed final security and logistical arrangements for the election.
Amupitan, who presided over his first ICCES meeting since assuming office, said INEC’s week-long readiness assessment in Anambra confirmed that all logistics, security, and operational plans were on course.
“Following our comprehensive readiness assessment across the state, INEC is confident of its full preparedness for the polls,” Amupitan said.
“Although we encountered some network challenges during the mock accreditation exercise 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, INEC will deploy about 24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units, noting that voting will not hold in two polling units that have no registered voters. Results will be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government collation centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
PVC Collection Extended to November 2
Prof. Amupitan also announced that the Commission had extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Anambra State.
“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 decision followed reports that only 63.9 per cent of registered voters had collected their PVCs.
Security Agencies Assure Heavy Deployment
Commending the efforts of security agencies, the INEC Chairman described their cooperation as crucial to ensuring a safe and credible election.
“The Police, DSS, NSCDC, and military have assured us of heavy deployment and coordinated patrols before, during, and after the election,” Amupitan disclosed.
He added that INEC had finalized logistics agreements with transport unions, including the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), for the movement of electoral materials and personnel.
“A total of 200 buses and 83 boats have been secured to ensure smooth transportation, especially to riverine areas,” he added.
Amupitan further cautioned politicians and their supporters against vote buying and electoral misconduct, stressing that law enforcement agencies would take decisive action against offenders.
“Any attempt to induce voters before or during the election must be resisted and curtailed. We must all join hands to uphold the values of democracy,” he warned.
FG Warns Politicians Against Violence
Also speaking, the NSA’s representative, Mr. Hassan Abdullahi, said the Federal Government had put in place robust security measures to safeguard voters, officials, and electoral materials throughout the electoral period.
“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 stated.
He warned political actors and their supporters to desist from acts of violence, emphasizing that any breach of peace would attract immediate and decisive consequences.
“Violence will not be tolerated. Political parties and candidates must promote peace and ensure their supporters conduct themselves responsibly. Any act of violence will be met with a firm and uncompromising response,” Abdullahi declared.
By VOPTV – Voice of the People Television
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