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By Tracy Moses
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its total readiness and unwavering commitment to deliver a credible, transparent, and peaceful governorship election in Anambra State billed for Saturday, November 8, 2025.
The election, which will mark the first major off-cycle governorship contest since the assumption of Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, as INEC Chairman, is widely seen as a litmus test for the Commission’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Speaking during an inspection visit to INEC’s State Office in Awka ahead of a Stakeholders’ Meeting slated for Monday, November 3, 2025, Prof. Amupitan assured Nigerians that the Commission was fully equipped to conduct an election that truly reflects the will of the people.
“Our duty is to the Nigerian people. We are fully prepared to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s mandate,” Amupitan said. He called on political parties, candidates, and security agencies to act responsibly and support a peaceful process, noting that the Commission “remains resolute and undeterred in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.”
The INEC Chairman also cautioned against what he described as “efforts by vested interests to discredit the process,” stressing that only collective responsibility and trust in democratic institutions can guarantee enduring electoral credibility.
Providing an operational update, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, disclosed that all non-sensitive election materials had been distributed to the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
She further confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC’s flagship technology for voter authentication and results transmission, had been fully configured, tested, and certified ready for use in the election.
“Every detail has been carefully handled, from the training of ad hoc staff to logistics and technical preparations,” Dr. Agwu said.
“We have also deployed generators to key locations to guarantee uninterrupted power supply during the exercise,” she added.
Both the INEC Chairman and the REC emphasized the Commission’s determination to work collaboratively with political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media to ensure a transparent and inclusive process.
“INEC is committed to inclusivity. We will continue to carry all stakeholders along because transparency and partnership remain the bedrock of our credibility,” Amupitan stressed.
As part of the final readiness assessment, the INEC Chairman led a delegation of National Commissioners, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Professor Abdullahi Zuru, Mr. Sam Olumekun, Prof. Sami Adam, Dr. Baba Bila, and Prof. Sunday Aja, on inspection visits to Oyi and Awka South Local Government Areas.
At both locations, Electoral Officers Mrs. Olivia Nkem (Oyi) and Mrs. Ozoagu Chinyere (Awka South) conducted the delegation around their facilities, displaying election materials already sorted and batched for deployment to Registration Area Centres (RACs).
Amupitan directed that all election materials must arrive at polling units by 7:00 a.m., with voting commencing promptly at 8:30 a.m. He further mandated that collation be conducted in the presence of party agents, and that results must strictly correspond with BVAS accreditation data to prevent discrepancies.
The INEC Chairman also revealed that robust security measures have been instituted in collaboration with security agencies to safeguard personnel, materials, and voters before, during, and after the election.
With these assurances, Amupitan reiterated that the Commission had demonstrated “its operational efficiency, vigilance, and unwavering dedication to protecting the sanctity of the ballot in Anambra State.”