Anambra guber: INEC fully ready, says Amupitan

*Assures of credible, inclusive process

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its full readiness for the Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 8th November 2025, assuring citizens and stakeholders of a peaceful, transparent, and credible process.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance during a high-level inspection visit to the Commission’s state office in Awka, ahead of the Stakeholders’ Meeting coming up on today, 3rd November 2025.
“Our responsibility is to the people of this nation. We are fully prepared to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will,” Prof. Amupitan stated, urging all stakeholders to work together in support of a seamless process.
The Chairman, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, also cautioned against what he described as “attempts by vested interests to discredit the process,” stressing that INEC remained focused and undeterred in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.
Providing an operational update, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, confirmed that all non-sensitive materials had been distributed to the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
She further disclosed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had been fully configured, tested, and adjudged ready for deployment.
“We have left nothing to chance. From the training of personnel to the deployment of materials, every necessary step has been taken to ensure a smooth, credible and technology-driven election,” Agwu stated.
“Generators have also been deployed to ensure uninterrupted power supply at critical locations,” she added.
Both the INEC Chairman and the REC underscored the central role of collaboration with political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, and the media in guaranteeing the success of the election.
“We are committed to carrying every stakeholder along in this process. Transparency and partnership remain the bedrock of our credibility,” Prof. Amupitan affirmed.
As part of the readiness review, the INEC Chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners — Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, Mr. Sam Olumekun, Prof. Sami Adam, Dr. Baba Bila, and Prof. Sunday Aja — also visited INEC offices in Oyi and Awka South Local Government Areas to assess final preparations.
Electoral Officers, Mrs. Olivia Nkem (Oyi) and Mrs. Ozoagu Chinyere (Awka South), conducted the team round their facilities, showcasing election materials already batched for onward movement to Registration Areas.
During the visit, the chairman issued a firm directive that all election materials must arrive at the polling units by 7:00am; polling must commence at 8:30am without delay; collation must take place in the presence of party agents and collated results must align precisely with BVAS records.
Prof. Amupitan reiterated that strong security arrangements had been instituted to safeguard personnel, voters, and materials throughout the process.
With these comprehensive assurances, INEC, according to the chairman, has sent a strong signal of its operational capacity, vigilance, and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process in Anambra State.