By George Ozalla
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
According to a press statement signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Agwu, the exercise began on Thursday at the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Awka under tight security supervision. The process was monitored by representatives of political parties, security agencies, and accredited observers.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election duty, Abayomi Shogunle, assured that security arrangements have been strengthened to ensure smooth conduct of the polls, including adequate coverage for both land and riverine communities.
INEC disclosed that a total of 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to participate across 5,718 polling units, noting that voting will not take place in two units where no voters are registered.
Sixteen candidates are contesting the election, among them incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chidi Charles Onyeze (Accord Party), Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others.
The distribution of sensitive materials marks a crucial phase in INEC’s preparations for the November 8 governorship election, aimed at ensuring transparency, credibility, and timely commencement of voting across the state.
