The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its preparedness for the 8 November Anambra State governorship election, following what it described as a highly successful mock accreditation exercise held across the state’s three senatorial districts on Saturday.
The exercise tested the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal two major pillars of the Commission’s election technology framework.
Speaking at INEC’s headquarters in Awka, the National Commissioner supervising Anambra and Chairman of the Tenders Board Committee, Dr. Kenneth Ikeagu, said the Commission had achieved 99 per cent operational readiness for the poll. He was flanked by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, and other top officials.
“INEC is fully prepared and committed to delivering a credible, inclusive, and transparent election that reflects the will of the people of Anambra State,” Ikeagu said.
According to him, 24,000 ad hoc staff will be deployed across 5,718 polling units, while 540 accredited journalists will cover the election.
Ikeagu explained that all logistical and security arrangements have been completed, including the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with transport unions to ensure the timely movement of election personnel and materials.
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He added that boats had been arranged for riverine areas to ensure early delivery of materials, while non-sensitive materials had already been distributed to local government offices. Sensitive materials, such as ballot papers and result sheets, will arrive 48 hours before the election.
“All officials and drivers will spend the night before the election at their Registration Area Centres to guarantee polling starts promptly at 8:30 a.m.,” he stated.
The mock accreditation, held in selected polling units across Awka South, Idemili North, Oyi, Anambra East, Aguata, and Orumba North, recorded smooth operations. Ikeagu said voter accreditation took less than six minutes on average, while the entire voting process concluded within 36 minutes.
“The BVAS functioned optimally, and the exercise offered valuable insights into logistics and operational readiness ahead of the main election,” he noted.
INEC confirmed that elections will hold in 5,718 of 5,720 polling units, with two excluded due to the absence of registered voters. It also assured that polling would take place in all parts of Ihiala Local Government Area, previously affected by insecurity, as law enforcement agencies had stabilised the region.
On security, Ikeagu said INEC had worked closely with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to deploy adequate personnel, including reinforcements from neighbouring states.
“Security is everyone’s business,” he emphasised. “We urge citizens to remain peaceful, vigilant, and law-abiding as we collectively ensure a safe and credible election.”
Ikeagu reminded voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the Sunday, 26 October deadline, stressing that the process is strictly personal. He dismissed speculation about possible delays or postponement, assuring that “there will be no late arrival of materials or officials.”
INEC’s readiness team to Anambra included National Commissioners Sam Olumekun (Information and Voter Education), Professor Rhoda Gumus (Planning, Monitoring, and Strategy), and Dr. Baba Bila (Electoral Operations and Logistics).
A total of 16 candidates from various political parties will contest the election, including the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who is seeking re-election.
Concluding the briefing, Ikeagu reaffirmed the Commission’s confidence under its new Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to deliver an election that meets the highest standards of transparency and public trust.
“We are confident that the 2025 Anambra governorship election will stand as a model of integrity, efficiency, and credibility in Nigeria’s democratic process,” he said.
