The Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN on Tuesday disclosed that the commission had concluded 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 ensure seamless transportation of poll officers and sensitive materials ahead November, 8 Anambra State governorship election.
Amupitan, who made this disclosure while speaking at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security on Tuesday in Abuja, said the commission is “fully prepared” for the election and is committed to ensuring a smooth and credible process.
“We have hired 200 buses and 83 boats to ensure seamless transportation of poll officers and sensitive materials,” he said.
He warned against voter inducement and reiterated the commission’s partnership with law enforcement and anti-graft agencies to combat vote buying.
The don cautioned, “We would like to warn that any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election must be resisted and curtailed. We must join hands to combat the menace of vote buying.
“Together, let us combat vote buying, uphold the values of democracy, and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections.”
The meeting, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and represented by the Director of Internal Security in the Office of the NSA, Hassan Abdullahi, convened senior security, intelligence, and law enforcement officials to finalise strategies for ensuring a smooth and incident-free election.
Amupitan concluded by expressing optimism that, with collective effort, the Anambra Governorship Election would set a new standard for electoral integrity in Nigeria.
“The path ahead may be challenging,” he said, “but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”
INEC disclosed that about 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate in the poll, while 11 out of 13 scheduled pre-election activities have already been completed.
Among the remaining key activities are the conclusion of political campaigns on November 6 and the governorship election itself on November 8.
