By Nnedinma Michael
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has assured that the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election slated for Saturday, November 8, 2025, will be peaceful, transparent, and credible.
According to Professor Amupitan, the Commission has maintained zero tolerance for electoral malpractices, including vote-buying and violence, and has put in place extensive security and operational measures to guarantee a smooth exercise. He said INEC had concluded all necessary arrangements for the poll, with over 24,000 ad-hoc staff deployed across 5,718 polling units and various collation centers throughout the state.
He disclosed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines had been fully configured, tested, and certified ready for deployment. The Commission, he added, had also provided generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply at critical points during collation and result transmission.
The INEC Chairman emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to ensure the success of the process. He urged all parties to support the Commission in delivering a credible election and cautioned against any attempt to discredit the process.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Intelligence, Force Headquarters, DIG Ben Okolo, assured of adequate security before, during, and after the election. He confirmed that 45,000 police personnel and 10,250 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would be deployed across the state to maintain order and protect voters, election officials, and materials.
DIG Okolo called for political tolerance and respect for democratic values, urging candidates, parties, and their supporters to commit genuinely to peace and ensure that every voice is heard throughout the process.
One of the leading candidates in the race, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), commended INEC for its level of preparedness and for organizing the stakeholders’ meeting, which, according to him, provided a valuable platform for parties to understand the Commission’s operational readiness ahead of the poll.
The November 8 election is expected to be closely contested, with major political parties and their candidates intensifying final preparations across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State.
