INEC Ready for Anambra Guber Election as Security Agencies Warn Troublemakers
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness for Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election, affirming that all logistical and operational preparations have been concluded to ensure a credible, peaceful, and transparent process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka.
He said the commission had completed 11 out of the 13 scheduled activities on the election timetable, adding that campaigns would officially close by midnight on November 6.
Amupitan disclosed that the commission had secured 2,233 buses from the National Association of Transport Owners and the National Union of Road Transport Workers, as well as 83 boats to convey personnel and materials to riverine communities.
“We reviewed all transport logistics with stakeholders across the 21 local government areas. We are leaving no stone unturned,” he stated.
He confirmed that political parties would inspect sensitive election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria in Awka before their deployment to the field.
On voter participation, Amupitan revealed that 63.9 per cent of newly registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), while the deadline for collection had been extended to November 2. Uncollected cards, he added, would be retrieved and kept securely with the CBN until after the election.
To enhance inclusivity, he said sign-language interpreters would be stationed at polling units to assist 3,456 registered voters with disabilities.
A total of 2,802,790 voters are listed in the final register, while 16 political parties will contest the governorship poll.
Amupitan cautioned INEC officials against misconduct, warning that violations of the Electoral Act would attract sanctions. “Let us all say no to vote-buying and every form of electoral malpractice,” he urged.
Party representatives, including APC Chairman Basil Ejidike, raised concerns about vote-buying, collation centre arrangements, and the use of non-state actors. The INEC boss promised to address the issues before election day.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has warned criminal elements planning to disrupt the process to steer clear of the state, declaring that security agencies are fully prepared to enforce law and order.
Represented by the Acting Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Hadejia, the IGP gave the warning in Abuja during a meeting on Election Security Threat Assessment.
“To the criminal elements, I say: leave Anambra. We will use the full weight of the law to ensure anyone trying to cause trouble during the election is arrested, investigated, and prosecuted,” Hadejia said.
He assured residents of robust security arrangements, disclosing that personnel had been deployed across the state and emergency hotlines activated. Voters can report threats or suspicious activity through the toll-free number 933.
“All law-abiding citizens should not be afraid. Our officers are on standby to respond to distress calls. With the measures in place, we are confident this election will be peaceful and incident-free,” he said.
Hadejia also urged political actors to conduct themselves responsibly, warning that security agencies would not tolerate incitement or any act capable of undermining the process. He noted that officers had undergone pre-deployment training and would operate under strict rules of engagement.
The Director of Programmes at CLEEN Foundation, Salaudeen Hashim, said threat assessments showed relative stability in Anambra but called for continued vigilance among security agencies and stakeholders.
“There might be some level of stability because of recent interventions, but security threats do not select victims. All responsible actors must act within the short window available,” he cautioned.
Hashim expressed optimism that the poll would be peaceful but warned against complacency.
