INEC Chairman Reaffirms Readiness for Anambra Governorship Election, Warns Against Vote-Buying
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to conduct a transparent, credible, and peaceful governorship election in Anambra State on Saturday, November 8, 2025, while warning political parties, candidates, and voters against vote-buying and other forms of electoral malpractice.
Speaking at the Anambra State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Awka, Professor Amupitan said the meeting was part of INEC’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity and transparency ahead of every major off-cycle election. He explained that it was customary for such engagements to be jointly addressed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police to update the public on election preparedness and security arrangements.
The INEC Chairman said preparations for the Anambra election commenced in 2024 with the publication of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022. Out of the 13 statutory activities outlined by the Commission, 11 have been successfully implemented, leaving only the close of campaigns scheduled for midnight on Thursday, November 6, and the election proper on Saturday, November 8.
He disclosed that the Commission had published the final list of candidates and running mates for the poll. Sixteen political parties will participate, while five parties made lawful substitutions of candidates and deputies in line with Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Professor Amupitan revealed that INEC had approved a final register of 2,802,790 voters for the election following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and subsequent clean-up of the database. He noted that a total of 168,187 new registrations were recorded across the 326 wards of the state, but 27,817 invalid multiple entries were removed after Automated Biometric Identification System screening, leaving 140,370 valid new voters. In addition, 5,983 voters transferred their registration within the state.
He explained that INEC extended the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection deadline from October 29 to November 2 to enable all eligible voters to obtain their cards. According to him, all uncollected cards from the 21 local government areas would be secured at the Central Bank of Nigeria until after the election to prevent misuse.
The Chairman also disclosed that the Commission, in partnership with TAFAfrica, approved the deployment of sign language interpreters across polling units to assist 3,456 registered voters with disabilities in the state. He described this as a landmark initiative in Nigeria’s electoral history aimed at strengthening inclusion and participation of Persons with Disabilities in the democratic process.
He confirmed that INEC had accredited 114 domestic observer groups and 76 media organizations, deploying over 500 journalists to provide comprehensive coverage of the poll. Thousands of agents representing candidates and political parties have also been accredited to monitor activities across the 5,718 polling units, 326 ward collation centers, 21 local government collation centers, and the state collation center in Awka.
Professor Amupitan assured stakeholders that the Commission was fully prepared for the election, emphasizing that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be used for voter authentication and electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). He disclosed that a successful mock accreditation had been conducted in 12 polling units across six local government areas to test the system’s performance and improve network stability. He added that all BVAS devices designated for election day had been tested, configured, and were ready for deployment.
On logistics, the INEC Chairman said that 2,233 buses and 83 boats had been hired from the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN) for the movement of officials and sensitive materials. He noted that the Commission held meetings with the transport unions, Resident Electoral Commissioner, and Electoral Officers across the 21 local government areas to review and finalize logistics plans to ensure early commencement of polls by 8:30a.m. on election day.
He added that political parties would, as usual, inspect sensitive election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria office in Awka before their distribution to the local government areas. He commended all sixteen political parties for signing the Peace Accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee, describing it as a commitment to peaceful participation and respect for the rules of engagement.
Professor Amupitan urged all political actors to demonstrate maturity, restraint, and discipline during and after the polls. He called on candidates and supporters to refrain from violence, hate speech, and vote-buying, stressing that such practices undermine democracy and erode public confidence in the process. He reaffirmed that INEC had issued strict directives to all electoral officials, warning that any deviation from the provisions of the Electoral Act or the Commission’s guidelines would attract severe sanctions, while diligence and integrity would be duly recognized and rewarded.
The INEC Chairman expressed gratitude to security agencies for their cooperation, assuring the public that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of election officials, observers, and voters. He stated that the Commission was leaving no stone unturned in its determination to deliver a free, fair, and credible election that reflects the sovereign will of the people of Anambra State.
Concluding his address, Professor Amupitan appealed to voters to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise with confidence and pride. “Let us all say no to violence, no to intimidation, and no to vote-buying. Together, we can strengthen democracy and prove that credible elections are possible in Nigeria,” he declared.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to conduct a transparent, credible, and peaceful governorship election in Anambra State on Saturday, November 8, 2025, while warning political parties, candidates, and voters against vote-buying and other forms of electoral malpractice.
Speaking at the Anambra State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Meeting held in Awka, Professor Amupitan said the meeting was part of INEC’s long-standing commitment to inclusivity and transparency ahead of every major off-cycle election. He explained that it was customary for such engagements to be jointly addressed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector-General of Police to update the public on election preparedness and security arrangements.
The INEC Chairman said preparations for the Anambra election commenced in 2024 with the publication of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities, in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022. Out of the 13 statutory activities outlined by the Commission, 11 have been successfully implemented, leaving only the close of campaigns scheduled for midnight on Thursday, November 6, and the election proper on Saturday, November 8.
He disclosed that the Commission had published the final list of candidates and running mates for the poll. Sixteen political parties will participate, while five parties made lawful substitutions of candidates and deputies in line with Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Professor Amupitan revealed that INEC had approved a final register of 2,802,790 voters for the election following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and subsequent clean-up of the database. He noted that a total of 168,187 new registrations were recorded across the 326 wards of the state, but 27,817 invalid multiple entries were removed after Automated Biometric Identification System screening, leaving 140,370 valid new voters. In addition, 5,983 voters transferred their registration within the state.
He explained that INEC extended the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection deadline from October 29 to November 2 to enable all eligible voters to obtain their cards. According to him, all uncollected cards from the 21 local government areas would be secured at the Central Bank of Nigeria until after the election to prevent misuse.
The Chairman also disclosed that the Commission, in partnership with TAFAfrica, approved the deployment of sign language interpreters across polling units to assist 3,456 registered voters with disabilities in the state. He described this as a landmark initiative in Nigeria’s electoral history aimed at strengthening inclusion and participation of Persons with Disabilities in the democratic process.
He confirmed that INEC had accredited 114 domestic observer groups and 76 media organizations, deploying over 500 journalists to provide comprehensive coverage of the poll. Thousands of agents representing candidates and political parties have also been accredited to monitor activities across the 5,718 polling units, 326 ward collation centers, 21 local government collation centers, and the state collation center in Awka.
Professor Amupitan assured stakeholders that the Commission was fully prepared for the election, emphasizing that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be used for voter authentication and electronic transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). He disclosed that a successful mock accreditation had been conducted in 12 polling units across six local government areas to test the system’s performance and improve network stability. He added that all BVAS devices designated for election day had been tested, configured, and were ready for deployment.
On logistics, the INEC Chairman said that 2,233 buses and 83 boats had been hired from the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN) for the movement of officials and sensitive materials. He noted that the Commission held meetings with the transport unions, Resident Electoral Commissioner, and Electoral Officers across the 21 local government areas to review and finalize logistics plans to ensure early commencement of polls by 8:30a.m. on election day.
He added that political parties would, as usual, inspect sensitive election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria office in Awka before their distribution to the local government areas. He commended all sixteen political parties for signing the Peace Accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee, describing it as a commitment to peaceful participation and respect for the rules of engagement.
Professor Amupitan urged all political actors to demonstrate maturity, restraint, and discipline during and after the polls. He called on candidates and supporters to refrain from violence, hate speech, and vote-buying, stressing that such practices undermine democracy and erode public confidence in the process. He reaffirmed that INEC had issued strict directives to all electoral officials, warning that any deviation from the provisions of the Electoral Act or the Commission’s guidelines would attract severe sanctions, while diligence and integrity would be duly recognized and rewarded.
The INEC Chairman expressed gratitude to security agencies for their cooperation, assuring the public that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of election officials, observers, and voters. He stated that the Commission was leaving no stone unturned in its determination to deliver a free, fair, and credible election that reflects the sovereign will of the people of Anambra State.
Concluding his address, Professor Amupitan appealed to voters to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise with confidence and pride. “Let us all say no to violence, no to intimidation, and no to vote-buying. Together, we can strengthen democracy and prove that credible elections are possible in Nigeria,” he declared.
