INEC Assures Smooth Anambra Governorship Poll Despite Network Glitches

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that the November 8 Anambra governorship election will hold as scheduled without disruptions, despite minor network issues experienced during a recent mock accreditation exercise.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting, co-chaired by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Mr. Hassan Abdullahi.

Presiding over his first ICCES meeting since assuming office, Amupitan said a week-long readiness assessment across Anambra confirmed the Commission’s full preparedness for the poll.

“Following our comprehensive readiness assessment across the state, INEC is confident of its full preparedness for the polls,” Amupitan stated.
“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 of the state’s 5,720 polling units, noting that voting will not take place in two units without registered voters.

Results, he explained, would be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.

Amupitan also announced the extension of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection in Anambra to November 2, 2025, to allow more voters to participate.

“The Commission extended PVC collection after discovering that only 63.9 percent of registered voters had collected their cards,” he said.

The INEC boss commended security agencies for their cooperation, describing their coordination as essential to ensuring a peaceful and credible election.

“Security agencies have played a crucial role in securing the environment. The Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the military have assured us of heavy deployment and coordinated patrols before, during, and after the election,” Amupitan added.

He also revealed that logistics had been finalized with major transport unions, including NARTO, NURTW, and the 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,” he confirmed.

Amupitan further 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 work together to uphold the integrity of the process,” he said.

Representing the NSA, Mr. Hassan Abdullahi said the Federal Government had strengthened security operations to ensure the safety of voters, officials, and materials throughout 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,” he noted.

He warned political actors against violence, stressing that any attempt to disrupt the election would attract a firm government response.

“Violence will not be tolerated. Political actors and their supporters must conduct themselves peacefully. Any breach of peace will be met with a decisive response,” he warned.

The November 8 Anambra governorship election marks the first major electoral test for INEC under Prof. Amupitan’s leadership, amid heightened public scrutiny of the Commission’s performance following recent off-cycle polls.