Ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Tuesday assured Nigerians that the commission is taking urgent steps to resolve network challenges experienced during the mock accreditation exercise in the state.
The exercise, conducted over the weekend in selected areas of the state, was part of INEC’s preparations for the upcoming poll.
Amupitan, who made the assurance 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 recently conducted a Mock Accreditation Exercise in 12 selected polling units in 6 Local Government Areas of Anambra State, using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
“Although we encountered some network challenges, efforts are being made to ensure a seamless election on 8th November, 2025, and we are ready for large-scale deployment on Election Day,” he assured.
According to the INEC chairman, the commission plans to deploy “24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units in Anambra State,” with voting not taking place in “two polling units due to the absence of registered voters.”
He added that results would be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government area centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
The Don, who presided over his first ICCES meeting as INEC Chairman, pledged to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s elections.
“For INEC, this represents a new chapter, and I wish to reiterate my personal commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” he said.
In response to reports that only 63.9 per cent of registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards, the Commission decided to extend PVC collection in the state.
“This extension, from Wednesday, 29th October, to Sunday, 2nd November, 2025, is aimed at ensuring all eligible voters can collect their cards.
“We are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised,” he said.
The INEC chairman also commended security agencies for their efforts in creating a safe environment for the polls, noting that coordinated patrols and deployments would ensure peaceful conduct before, during, and after the election.
“Synergy among all security agencies is non-negotiable, particularly at a time when the credibility of our elections is paramount,” Amupitan said.
