Over 2.8 Million Voters Head to Polls as Anambra Elects Next Governor Today
No fewer than 2.8 million registered voters across Anambra State will today decide who governs the state for the next four years in what is widely seen as a major test of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s commitment to credible elections under its new Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
The governorship election, Amupitan’s first since assuming office on October 23, has attracted national attention, with observers describing it as a litmus test for INEC’s electoral reforms and capacity to deliver a transparent process.
According to official figures, 2,802,790 voters are eligible to participate in the exercise, including 140,370 newly registered voters spread across 326 wards.
The commission reported that 98.8 per cent of Permanent Voter Cards have been collected, signalling strong voter readiness.
Major candidates battle for votes
Among the 16 political parties contesting are five front-runners: incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr George Moghalu of the Labour Party, Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Sir Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
Two female candidates are also in the race.
INEC confirmed that all 5,718 polling units would open at 8:30 a.m., with 6,879 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices deployed and backed up. Over 24,000 ad hoc staff have also been trained and mobilised for the exercise.
Distribution of election materials under tight security
Distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials began Thursday at the Central Bank of Nigeria office in Awka under the supervision of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Awgu, amid heavy security.
Awgu said the materials—including BVAS and result forms—had been dispatched to registration area centres ahead of time to ensure a prompt start to voting.
She urged residents to turn out massively, assuring them of a fair process. “The idea is to ensure that the election starts as scheduled; that is the only way the process can go on without delay,” she said.
Security lockdown and movement restriction
The Anambra State Police Command, meanwhile, announced a total restriction of vehicular movement from midnight to 6 p.m. today.
Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the restriction was to prevent the movement of thugs and criminal elements who might attempt to disrupt the poll.
Only INEC officials, accredited observers, journalists, medical workers, and emergency responders are exempted.
INEC leadership and security reinforcement
INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, said four National Commissioners and ten Resident Electoral Commissioners from other states had been deployed to monitor the election.
He assured that voters in security-challenged areas of Ihiala Local Government Area would cast their ballots safely at the council headquarters.
“Anyone attempting violence, vote-buying, intimidation, or ballot interference will face swift, lawful consequences,” he warned.
Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Abayomi Shogunle, announced an increase in security deployment from 45,000 to 55,000 personnel to ensure peace and voter safety.
INEC office barricaded as groups monitor poll
Security operatives have cordoned off the INEC headquarters in Awka and mounted armoured personnel carriers around Ekwueme Square. The movement of vehicles has been restricted in the area as sensitive materials continue to be dispatched.
Meanwhile, several election monitoring groups have set up situation rooms across the state to track developments and ensure transparency during the voting and collation process.
