By Mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Anambra state fully ready for the 8 November 2025 polls.
The declaration followed the conclusion of a weeklong readiness assessment tour across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state by a high-level delegation from the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation, led by the National Commissioner for Election Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, included National Commissioners Sam Olumekun, Dr. Kenneth Ukeagu, and Dr. Baba Bila.
They arrived in Awka on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, and immediately began a series of engagements with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, and the State Management Team.
The mission, according to INEC, was to ensure that all logistical, security, and operational components required for a smooth and credible election were in place and functioning efficiently.
Field inspections took the team to several local government areas, including Dunukofia and Oyi, where batching and deployment of non-sensitive materials were ongoing.
The delegation also monitored the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise at designated registration areas.
During an interaction with voters, Prof. Gumus reassured the public of INEC’s commitment to inclusiveness and efficiency, stating, “This process is designed to be smooth and inclusive. No voter will be left behind.”
Midweek, the delegation met with the 21 Electoral Officers (EOs) in charge of local governments, discussing logistics, early activation of Registration Area Centres (RACs), and the prompt movement of election materials and personnel.
Dr. Ukeagu stressed the importance of accountability and proper documentation, directing officers to track all election materials meticulously. “Every vehicle, every ballot, every form must be properly tracked,” he said.
Reinforcing the call, Dr. Baba Bila, Chairman of the Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee, reminded officers that delegated authority must be matched with responsibility. “The Commission has given you trust; you must return that trust with integrity,” he stated.
Similarly, Mr. Sam Olumekun, mni, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), charged officials to maintain transparency and professionalism, describing them as INEC’s strongest assets. “Keep the process clean and transparent,” he urged.
The delegation also met with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN)—key partners in election-day logistics.
The meeting reaffirmed INEC’s existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the unions.
Dr. Ukeagu cautioned transporters against any breach of the agreement, warning that the Commission would not tolerate acts of sabotage. “This is not business as usual. Stick to the agreed vehicles and arrangements. Payment will be prompt, but accountability must be total,” he said.
Another major highlight of the tour was the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting, where security agencies—including the Nigeria Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the military—gave assurances of adequate deployment and coordinated patrols before, during, and after the election.
The agencies collectively pledged to ensure “peaceful and credible elections across all polling units.”
In her remarks at the ICCES meeting, Dr. Agwu commended the synergy among security agencies, describing it as “the foundation of election integrity.” She added, “We enter this election with a peaceful state of mind.
The cooperation we see today gives us confidence that materials, personnel, and voters will move freely and safely on Election Day.”
The delegation also observed a Mock Accreditation Exercise in Anambra East, where the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was tested. The devices performed seamlessly, confirming their readiness for full deployment.
Dr. Ukeagu, visibly satisfied, declared the Commission “99% ready,” noting that only the final movement of staff and materials remained. “Every other component is in place from logistics to security, from voter sensitization to material tracking,” he said.
Prof. Gumus expressed confidence in the state’s preparedness, commending the dedication of INEC staff and stakeholders.
“Our visit has shown that Anambra is ready, INEC is ready, and the people are ready. We look forward to delivering an election that will reflect the true will of the electorate,” she affirmed.
