The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that urgent measures are being taken to address network issues observed during the recent mock accreditation exercise in Anambra State, ahead of the November 8 governorship election.
The mock exercise, conducted over the weekend in selected areas, was part of INEC’s preparations for the upcoming polls.
Speaking at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Amupitan said the commission is “fully prepared” and committed to ensuring a smooth, credible election.
“We recently conducted a Mock Accreditation Exercise in 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas in Anambra State using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.”
“Although there were some network challenges, efforts are underway to guarantee a seamless election on November 8, 2025,” he said.
Prof. Amupitan revealed that INEC plans to deploy 24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units, with results to be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government centres, and the State Collation Centre in Awka.
Voting will not take place in two polling units due to the absence of registered voters.
In response to reports that only 63.9% of registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), INEC has extended the collection period in the state from Wednesday, 29th October, to Sunday, 2nd November 2025, ensuring all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate.
The INEC chairman commended security agencies for creating a safe election environment, noting that coordinated patrols and deployments would ensure peaceful conduct before, during, and after the polls.
“Synergy among all security agencies is non-negotiable, especially when the credibility of our elections is paramount,” he emphasised.
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC has finalized arrangements with transport unions, including the National Association of Transport Owners, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, to provide smooth transportation for electoral staff and sensitive materials. A total of 200 buses and 83 boats will be deployed.
The commission warned against voter inducement, stressing its partnership with law enforcement and anti-graft agencies to curb vote buying.
“Any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election must be resisted. Together, we must uphold democratic values and work tirelessly for credible elections,” Amupitan said.
The ICCES meeting, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and represented by the Director of Internal Security, Hassan Abdullahi, brought together senior officials from security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to finalise election security strategies.
Prof. Amupitan expressed optimism that, with collective effort, the Anambra Governorship Election would set a new benchmark for electoral integrity in Nigeria.
“The path ahead may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve,” he said.
INEC noted that about 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate in the election.
So far, 11 of the 13 scheduled pre-election activities have been completed, including the upcoming conclusion of political campaigns on November 6.
