The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that the November 8 Anambra governorship election will proceed without hitches, despite network disruptions experienced during a recent mock accreditation exercise.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), co-chaired by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Mr. Hassan Abdullahi.
Amupitan, presiding over his first ICCES meeting since assuming office, said the Commission’s week-long readiness assessment across Anambra confirmed full preparedness for the poll.
“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, about 24,000 INEC personnel will be deployed across 5,718 of the state’s 5,720 polling units, noting that voting will not take place in two units that have no registered voters.
He explained that results would be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
The INEC boss also confirmed the extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection in Anambra to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
“The Commission has extended PVC collection in Anambra from October 29 to November 2, 2025, after reports showed that only 63.9 percent of registered voters had collected their cards,” he stated.
Amupitan commended the security agencies for their cooperation, describing their coordination as vital to ensuring a credible and peaceful poll.
“Security agencies have played a crucial role in securing the environment, without which elections would be impossible in some locations. A high-level ICCES meeting was held in Anambra to review operations and flashpoint monitoring, and the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and military have assured us of heavy deployment and coordinated patrols before, during, and after the election,” he said.
He disclosed that INEC had finalised logistics arrangements 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 election materials and personnel.
“A total of 200 buses and 83 boats have been hired for the exercise,” Amupitan added.
The INEC Chairman also warned against vote buying, urging security agencies to clamp down on offenders.
“Any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election must be resisted and curtailed. We must join hands to combat vote buying and uphold the values of democracy,” he said.
Representing the NSA, Mr. Hassan Abdullahi said the Federal Government had rolled out robust security measures to ensure the safety of voters, officials, and materials during the election 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,” Abdullahi stated.
He warned political parties and their supporters against violence, stressing that any attempt to disrupt the poll would attract a firm and decisive response.
“Violence will not be tolerated. Political actors and their supporters must conduct themselves peacefully. Any breach of peace will be met with a strong, uncompromising response,” he warned.
The November 8 Anambra governorship election will be the first major electoral test for INEC under Prof. Amupitan’s leadership, amid growing public scrutiny of the commission’s performance following recent off-cycle polls.
