INEC Targets 2.8m Voters for Anambra Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says over 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Queen Elizabeth Agwu, disclosed this during a strategy dialogue with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in Abuja on Tuesday.

She noted that 140,907 newly registered voters would collect their Permanent Voter Cards before the end of the week, while 978 backup Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices have been prepared for deployment across the state’s 5,720 polling units.

Agwu said the commission had adopted strict security and logistical measures to ensure smooth and transparent conduct. She explained that sensitive election materials would be distributed under supervision at the Central Bank of Nigeria, with storage areas securely locked and monitored.

She added that security personnel across Anambra’s three senatorial districts had undergone training to ensure adequate coverage throughout the exercise. Sixteen political parties will be contesting in the election, with their candidates and deputies already published in all 21 local government areas.

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Security Agencies Promise Tight Surveillance

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ekulu Remijius, who represented the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, assured that the police and other security agencies were fully prepared to protect lives and maintain order during the polls. He said a “show of force” would be conducted on the eve of the election, and that identified flashpoints would be monitored and raided preemptively.

According to him, movement would be restricted on election eve, with military personnel manning boundary areas and police formations stationed at collation centres to prevent infiltration or disruptions.

Earlier, the Convener of the Situation Room, Mr. Y. Z. Ya’u, said the dialogue provided an opportunity for civil society groups to assess INEC’s readiness and advocate for credible elections in Anambra.

The forthcoming governorship election is expected to test INEC’s operational efficiency and its continued use of technology, including the BVAS and INEC Result Viewing Portal, following mixed experiences during the 2023 general elections.