The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday began distributing sensitive and non-sensitive materials to all 21 local government areas ahead of Saturday’s November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.
The exercise took place at the Central Bank of Nigeria office in Awka, supervised by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Awgu, amid heavy deployment of security personnel.
Party agents were also on ground to observe the process.
Awgu explained that three key materials, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B, were loaded into vehicles for onward transportation to the Registration Area Centres across the state.
She said the dispatch was meant to ensure that the election commenced on schedule.
“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.
“People should come out and vote; participate in this election process. Do not stay at home thinking that your vote will not count, and do not assume that your candidate has already won.”
Awgu added that the commission had made comprehensive preparations in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including political parties, security agencies, and civil society organisations, to ensure that the election would be free, fair, transparent, and credible.
“Party agents and security operatives jointly supervised the distribution of sensitive materials to ensure transparency. We have been at the CBN since 9 am, and everything has gone smoothly without any challenges or complaint.
This shows our readiness and commitment to delivering a credible election,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security in Anambra State, CP Abayomi Shogunle, disclosed that the number of security personnel deployed for the poll had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000 officers.
He said the deployment included personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, DSS, NDLEA, and other sister agencies, with at least three security operatives assigned to each polling unit.
“The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and protection of voters and electoral officials,” Shogunle said.
“We assure the people of Anambra that the election will be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of intimidation.”
He added that the movement of materials from the CBN was being closely monitored to ensure safety.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, assured National Youth Service Corps members being deployed as ad hoc staff of their safety and timely payment of election duty allowances.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement with observers and ad hoc staff in Awka on Wednesday, Amupitan said no one would withhold their entitlements.
“As far as their allowances are concerned, we made an agreement… all those things will be adequately addressed, including allowances for corpers,” he said.
He also stated that security agencies had assured INEC of the protection of poll workers, noting that some were already “raking the ground” while others would “do mopping later.”
Amupitan urged electoral officers to be neutral in the discharge of their duties, stressing that INEC was committed to conducting a peaceful and successful election that could serve as a model for future polls.
“Everything that we need for this Anambra election has been provided,” he said.
Amupitan insisted on a zero-tolerance stance against inducement of voters and urged citizens to provide evidence of vote buying.
“Somebody even offered to give evidence of vote buying… we have requested him to come with such evidence before the commission, which will be handed over to the police,” he said.
“It’s contrary to Section 151 of the Electoral Act… People told us they can even mention names. We’re still waiting for those names so that we take necessary action.”
The warning follows allegations that Governor Soludo’s campaign cash reward scheme could encourage vote buying. The governor, however, said the scheme was meant to reward party workers mobilising support, not voters.
Election monitoring group Yiaga Africa has identified Orumba North, Orumba South, Ogbaru, Ihiala, Nnewi South and Aguata as potential security flashpoints, with some communities reportedly under threat from non-state armed groups.
At a pre-election press conference in Awka, the Chair of the 2025 Anambra Election Mission, Dr Asmau Maikudi, said the areas would require intelligence-driven deployment.
“These LGAs are considered potential hotspots… requiring more deliberate and intelligence-informed deployment,” she said.
She also expressed concerns that voter turnout could fall below 20 per cent due to widespread distrust in the process, noting poor engagement and low registration among young people.
She said civic participation would depend on three benchmarks: efficient logistics, integrity in electoral procedures, and impartiality of security agencies.
INEC said the state has 2,802,790 registered voters, with 98.8 per cent PVC collection.
It also confirmed the deployment of sign-language interpreters to support voters with disabilities.
To prevent delays, INEC said all 5,718 polling units would open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with 6,879 BVAS devices tested, configured, and backed up for use. Over 24,000 trained ad hoc staff are on standby.
“Neutrality is guaranteed. Impunity will not be tolerated,” Amupitan said.
“Anyone attempting violence, vote-buying, intimidation, or ballot interference will face swift, lawful consequences.”
Sixteen candidates from 16 political parties will contest the poll, with incumbent Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance looking to retain his seat.