Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun mapping out strategies to prevent threats that could undermine the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
At a sensitisation workshop in Awka on Friday, the Commission and key stakeholders, including security agencies, civil society organisations, and the media, reviewed electoral risk management measures to guarantee a peaceful and credible poll.
INEC’s National Commissioner for Planning, Monitoring, and Strategy, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said:
“Electoral violence, along with logistical and internal factors such as staff recruitment, training, and adherence to INEC’s standard procedures, must be carefully managed.”
She urged security agencies, political actors, and civic groups to work with the Commission to prevent disruptions, adding that INEC’s risk management framework provides tools to identify and address threats early.
Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Ugwu, described the election as a test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience and called for sustained collaboration.
She stressed that the exercise must be safe, fair, and transparent, noting that the workshop was designed to improve communication among stakeholders and strengthen operational networks.
Security agencies pledged to support INEC before, during, and after the election.
The Department of State Services, represented by its Deputy Director of Intelligence in Awka, Mr. Shima Rhodes, commended INEC’s preparations and urged wider sensitisation to reduce voter apathy.
The workshop featured technical sessions on managing risks, interactive discussions, and commitments by participants to ensure the credibility of the poll.
With less than 70 days to the election, INEC said it would intensify consultations to ensure the Anambra governorship contest was conducted in an atmosphere of peace, order, and transparency.
PIAK