BY Mercy Peter
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that the Commission is fully prepared to deliver a free, fair, credible, and peaceful governorship election in Anambra State on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Professor Amupitan said the Commission had concluded extensive consultations and stakeholder engagements across Anambra State to ensure a smooth electoral process.
He was joined by National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), and senior INEC officials.
“Our mission is to ensure that every vote counts, that the will of the people prevails, and that the electoral process is both peaceful and credible,” Amupitan declared.
The INEC Chairman recounted three days of intensive engagements in Anambra, including the signing of a Peace Accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee, security meetings, and an election stakeholders’ forum held on Tuesday, November 4.
He emphasised that peace was not merely the signing of an agreement, but a commitment to uphold its content.
“Without peace, our logistics will collapse, our personnel and materials will be endangered, and the credibility of the election will be threatened,” he cautioned.
Professor Amupitan expressed appreciation to the National Peace Committee for its sustained role in promoting peaceful elections across Nigeria.
He raised concern over the persistent low voter turnout in previous Anambra governorship elections, describing voter apathy as the “greatest enemy of democracy.”
According to INEC data, voter participation in the state has steadily declined from 25.5% in 2013 to 20.1% in 2017, and a mere 10.27% in 2021.
“With 2,802,790 registered voters, Anambra has the numbers to shape its own destiny,” the Chairman said.
“I, therefore, urge every eligible voter to come out and exercise their civic right without fear or favour.”
Professor Amupitan announced that 98.8% of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been collected by registered voters.
He said the Commission extended the collection period from October 29 to November 2 to close the gap and achieved one of the highest collection rates in the country.
Uncollected PVCs, he added, would be securely stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria until after the election.
The INEC Chairman revealed that the Commission, in partnership with TAFAfrica, would deploy Sign Language Interpreters across polling units to assist the 3,456 registered voters living with disabilities (PWDs) in Anambra State.
TAFAfrica, he noted, described the decision as “historic” and a major step toward full electoral participation for PWDs.
Professor Amupitan stated that all 5,718 polling units in Anambra must open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. on election day.
INEC, he said, had trained and deployed over 24,000 ad hoc staff and tested 6,879 BVAS devices to ensure seamless voter accreditation and result upload to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Over 3,000 vehicles and 83 boats, with full security escort, will transport personnel and materials, especially to riverine areas, while INEC’s Situation Room in Abuja will monitor operations in real time.
“The era of delayed polling unit openings must remain firmly behind us,” he affirmed.
The INEC boss confirmed that the Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 officers, supported by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He pledged that security forces would maintain neutrality and act swiftly against any acts of violence, vote-buying, intimidation, or ballot interference.
“Neutrality is guaranteed. Impunity will not be tolerated,” Amupitan warned.
He also disclosed that voters in six registration areas of Ihiala Local Government, which have faced security challenges, will safely cast their ballots at the Local Government Secretariat under tight protection.
The INEC Chairman said four National Commissioners and ten Resident Electoral Commissioners have been deployed to Anambra to personally supervise the election.
“INEC is determined to deliver an election that is credible, inclusive, transparent, and efficiently executed,” he said.
Professor Amupitan also reminded political parties and stakeholders about the forthcoming FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 2026.
He said that out of 13 key preparatory activities, eight have been completed, while the submission of names of polling agents and observers the ninth activity will end on December 15, 2025.
“We would like all political parties and stakeholders to take note of the deadline,” he cautioned.
The INEC Chairman concluded with an appeal to the people of Anambra State to come out in large numbers and vote peacefully, assuring them of adequate security and transparency.
“You have collected your PVCs. Security will protect you. INEC is ready for you.
So, come out on Saturday, 8th November, vote freely, vote peacefully, vote proudly,” he urged.
“By God’s grace and the courage of the people, the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election will be peaceful, credible, and a true victory for democracy.”
