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Torkwase Nyiekaa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared full readiness for the Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025, assuring Nigerians of a peaceful, transparent, and credible process.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance during a high-level inspection visit to the Commission’s State Office in Awka, ahead of the Stakeholders’ Meeting slated for Monday, November 3, 2025.
“Our responsibility is to the people of this nation. We are fully prepared to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will,” Amupitan said, urging political actors and stakeholders to support the Commission’s efforts toward a seamless exercise.
He warned against what he described as “attempts by vested interests to discredit the process,” emphasizing that INEC remained resolute and undeterred in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
Providing an operational update, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, confirmed that all non-sensitive materials had been distributed across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
She disclosed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had been fully configured, tested, and certified ready for deployment.
“We have left nothing to chance. From the training of personnel to the deployment of materials, every necessary step has been taken to ensure a smooth, credible, and technology-driven election,” Dr. Agwu said.
“Generators have also been deployed to ensure uninterrupted power supply at critical locations,” she added.
Both the INEC Chairman and the REC emphasized the importance of collaboration with political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media in ensuring the success of the election.
“We are committed to carrying every stakeholder along in this process. Transparency and partnership remain the bedrock of our credibility,” Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed.
As part of the readiness review, the INEC Chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, Mr. Sam Olumekun, Prof. Sami Adam, Dr. Baba Bila, and Prof. Sunday Aja — visited INEC offices in Oyi and Awka South Local Government Areas to assess final preparations.
At the local offices, Electoral Officers Mrs. Olivia Nkem (Oyi) and Mrs. Ozoagu Chinyere (Awka South) conducted the inspection team around their facilities, showcasing election materials already batched for onward movement to registration areas.
During the visit, Prof. Amupitan issued a firm directive that all election materials must arrive at polling units by 7:00 a.m., with voting to commence at 8:30 a.m. without delay. He further directed that collation be conducted in the presence of party agents and that collated results must align precisely with BVAS records.
The INEC boss also assured that robust security arrangements had been put in place to protect personnel, voters, and materials throughout the electoral process.
With these comprehensive measures, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission has demonstrated “its operational capacity, vigilance, and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process in Anambra State.”
