Anambra Governorship Poll: INEC Vows Uncompromised Transparency, Readiness, And Security For Credible Election Outcome

 

A strong assurance of peace, fairness, and credibility echoed through Awka on Monday as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, reaffirmed the commission’s determination to deliver a transparent and credible governorship election in Anambra State. The election, scheduled for Saturday, is already drawing significant attention across the country, with many citizens eager to see how effectively the electoral body will translate its promises into reality.

During a visit to INEC’s state headquarters ahead of a high-level stakeholders’ meeting, Mr Amupitan stated that the commission’s ultimate responsibility lies with the Nigerian people. According to him, the commission has fully prepared for the task ahead and will ensure that the process truly reflects the collective will of the electorate.

“Our responsibility is to the people of this nation. We are fully prepared to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will,” he declared confidently.

He emphasized that achieving a credible election requires the active collaboration of all stakeholders, urging political actors, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media to work in unity for a peaceful and transparent exercise. He also warned against attempts by “vested interests” to manipulate or undermine the process, stressing that INEC remains undeterred and firmly focused on its constitutional mandate.

Mr Amupitan highlighted transparency and partnership as the foundation of INEC’s credibility. He assured that all operational arrangements had been designed to prevent lapses or controversies, especially concerning the movement of materials, voter accreditation, and collation procedures.

Every aspect of logistics, he said, has been fine-tuned to ensure punctuality at polling units. According to him, election materials are to arrive at polling stations no later than 7:00 a.m., while voting must commence promptly at 8:30 a.m. without excuses or delay.

The chairman further explained that collation of results will take place strictly in the presence of accredited party agents, while all recorded outcomes must align perfectly with data from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, commonly known as BVAS. He reiterated that the commission will not tolerate discrepancies or unauthorized tampering with figures, as technological transparency remains at the heart of the process.

Security arrangements, according to him, have also been robustly structured to safeguard personnel, voters, and materials throughout the election. Mr Amupitan gave an assurance that the commission has the operational strength, vigilance, and commitment required to ensure that no part of the process is compromised.

“The integrity of this election is non-negotiable,” he stressed. “We have made adequate security provisions, and all agencies are working in coordination to protect every stage of the process.”

Complementing the chairman’s remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State, Elizabeth Agwu, provided an update on the commission’s readiness at the state level. She disclosed that all non-sensitive materials had already been dispatched to the 21 local government areas of the state, ensuring that no logistical bottlenecks would arise at the eleventh hour.

Ms Agwu also confirmed that the BVAS machines had been fully configured, tested, and prepared for deployment across polling units. She expressed confidence that the technology will operate seamlessly on election day, guaranteeing transparency and accuracy in both accreditation and result transmission.

“We have left nothing to chance,” she stated. “From the training of personnel to the deployment of materials, every necessary step has been taken to ensure a smooth, credible, and technology-driven election. Generators have also been deployed to ensure uninterrupted power supply at critical locations.”

She described the election as a collective responsibility that demands dedication, integrity, and cooperation from all parties involved.

With both the national and state leadership of INEC reaffirming their commitment, expectations are high among Anambra residents that the upcoming governorship poll will set a new benchmark for transparency and operational excellence. Citizens, political observers, and civil society organizations are watching closely, eager to witness a process that restores faith in democratic governance and strengthens public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

As the countdown to Saturday’s election continues, the focus remains firmly on INEC’s ability to match its promises with performance. The people of Anambra State, once again, stand at the crossroads of a democratic moment that could redefine the credibility of elections across the federation.