By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its readiness for the November 8 Anambra State governorship election, following a successful mock accreditation exercise conducted across the state’s three senatorial districts on Saturday.
The exercise tested the efficiency of the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, key components of the Commission’s election technology framework.
Addressing journalists at INEC’s headquarters in Awka, the National Commissioner supervising Anambra State and Chairman of the Tenders Board Committee, Dr. Kenneth Ikeagu, flanked by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, and top national officials of the Commission, announced that INEC had achieved 99 percent operational readiness for the poll.
He confirmed that about 24,000 ad hoc staff will be deployed across 5,718 polling units statewide, while 540 accredited journalists will cover the election.
“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 declared.
He emphasised that the Commission has finalised all logistical and security arrangements, including the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with transport unions to ensure the prompt deployment of personnel and materials.
Boats have also been arranged for riverine communities to guarantee early delivery of election materials.
“Non-sensitive materials have already been distributed to local government offices, while sensitive materials such as ballot papers and result sheets will arrive 48 hours before the election,” he said. “All officials and drivers will spend the night before the election at their Registration Area Centres to ensure polling starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. on election day.”
The mock accreditation exercise, conducted in selected polling units in Awka South, Idemili North, Oyi, Anambra East, Aguata, and Orumba North, recorded smooth operations.
According to Ikeagu, voter accreditation took less than six minutes, while the entire voting process was completed within 36 minutes.
“The BVAS functioned optimally, and the exercise provided valuable insights into logistics and operational preparedness ahead of the main election,” he said.
INEC confirmed that elections will be conducted in 5,718 out of 5,720 polling units, with two units excluded due to the absence of registered voters.
The Commission also gave assurances that all polling stations in Ihiala Local Government Area, previously affected by security concerns, will participate fully, as security agencies have stabilised the area.
On security arrangements, Ikeagu said INEC has worked closely with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and other law enforcement bodies to deploy adequate personnel.
Additional officers from neighboring states will reinforce security across Anambra before, during, and after the polls.
“Security is everyone’s business,” Ikeagu noted. “We urge citizens to remain peaceful, vigilant, and law-abiding as we collectively ensure a safe and credible election.”
He also urged voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the deadline on Sunday, October 26, stressing that collection is strictly personal. “Every voter must take the process seriously,” he said, adding that uncollected PVCs would remain available at INEC local government offices.
Responding to questions about potential delays or postponement, Ikeagu dismissed such speculation, 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), who joined Ikeagu for the statewide assessment.
A total of 16 candidates from various political parties will contest the November 8 governorship election, including the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is seeking re-election.
Concluding the briefing, Ikeagu reaffirmed INEC’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.