Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its readiness for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State Governorship Election, assuring citizens that the exercise will be transparent, inclusive, and credible. This was contained in the INEC Daily Bulletin, Volume 2 of November 4, 2025.
The assurance came on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, during the Election Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Awka, attended by political parties, candidates, security chiefs, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and the media.
Speaking at the event, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, charged all stakeholders to uphold peace and integrity, reminding them that democracy thrives only when citizens take part. He expressed concern over voter apathy in the state and called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society to reawaken public interest in the electoral process. “The greatest threat to democracy is indifference,” he warned, quoting Franklin D. Roosevelt. “If you refuse to vote, you have no right to complain. Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote. This election is not about INEC; it’s about the good and progress of Anambra State.”
He disclosed that preparations for the election began over a year ago following the release of the timetable and schedule of activities on 13th November 2024. Out of the 13 activities outlined, 11 have been concluded, leaving only the end of campaigns and the election itself. He emphasized that there must be no logistics failure, stressing that every polling unit must open simultaneously and operate efficiently.
Prof. Amupitan also assured that INEC had made special arrangements for persons with disabilities, including the deployment of sign language interpreters across polling units in partnership with TAF Africa. A total of 114 observer groups and 76 media organizations have been accredited for the election, with more than 500 journalists deployed across the state. Over 3,000 vehicles and 83 boats have been secured for the transportation of personnel and materials. “Our goal is that by 7:00 a.m., every team is deployed and by 8:30 a.m., voting starts in all polling units,” he stated firmly.
In his remarks, the Supervising National Commissioner for Anambra state, Dr. Ken Ukeagu, gave detailed operational updates and reaffirmed the Commission’s technical and logistical readiness. He announced that 24,000 ad hoc staff had been trained and deployed, while 6,879 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, comprising 5,718 for polling units, 183 for split units, and 978 backups, had been configured and tested. He added that the configuration and testing were conducted under strict supervision to prevent malfunction or late deployment.
Dr. Ukeagu explained that INEC had completed the batching and delivery of non-sensitive materials to all 21 Local Government Areas of the state, while sensitive materials would be delivered to the state INEC office on Thursday, 6th November, in the presence of political party representatives, security agencies, and accredited observers. He further revealed that mock accreditation exercises had been conducted successfully in all three senatorial districts, showing a 98 percent BVAS functionality rate and a smooth voter verification process.
He disclosed that 5,718 polling units and 183 voting points would be active across the 21 local governments, manned by trained presiding officers and assistant presiding officers. The Commission, he said, would also deploy 45 Registration Area Centers (RACs) to serve as early-morning deployment hubs, with all security and transport logistics finalized in coordination with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
Dr. Ukeagu reiterated that inclusivity remains at the heart of INEC’s operations, noting that assistive voting materials such as braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses have been provided for voters with visual impairments. He added that the Commission’s collaboration with security agencies and transport unions was designed to minimize risks and ensure prompt deployment of materials to every polling unit, even in riverine areas. “The days of delayed polling unit openings are behind us,” he said with confidence. “We have anticipated the usual challenges, and this time, every possible gap has been plugged.”
He also highlighted INEC’s measures for transparency, including real-time monitoring of field activities from the Situation Room in Abuja and the uploading of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal directly from polling units. “We want Ndi Anambra to see their votes count in real time. That is the foundation of electoral credibility,” he added.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, DIG Benjamin Okolo, and the Deputy Inspector General in charge of Force Intelligence, pledged neutrality, professionalism, and firmness, describing the election as “a sacred test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience.” Delivering the IGP’s message, he said, “We are gathered not merely to discuss an election, but to defend an ideal, the sanctity of democracy. This election is not business as usual. The Nigerian Police Force will be neutral but not negligent, fair but not fragile, civil but never cowardly.”
He explained that all polling units, collation centres, and flashpoints had been mapped and that the security architecture for the election would be intelligence-driven and community-focused. “Anyone who seeks to disrupt this process will find the full authority of the law waiting at his or her door,” he warned. “To political actors, seek to persuade, not provoke. Remember, no ambition is worth the life of a single Nigerian.” He assured voters that the police would protect their safety throughout the process, adding, “Vote your conscience, vote without fear. The police are your shield, not your shadow. We are here to protect, not to pressure.”
In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle O. Nafiu, represented by Mr. Ayodele Omotade, reaffirmed the NYSC’s unwavering partnership with INEC. He said all corps members participating as ad-hoc staff had been adequately trained and sensitized to uphold honesty, discipline, and neutrality. “Our corps members will approach this assignment with integrity and professionalism. We call on all stakeholders, especially community and political leaders, to protect these young Nigerians as they serve their nation,” he said, recalling that the last Anambra election recorded no incidents involving corps members.
Representing the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Chidubem Iwella commended INEC for its thorough preparation and assured that the traditional institution was mobilizing citizens across communities to ensure a peaceful and massive turnout. “Our royal fathers are using their voices to encourage Ndi Anambra to vote peacefully and massively. We urge INEC to remain an unbiased umpire so that the outcome will be free, fair, and credible,” he said.
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