The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned against vote buying in the forthcoming November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
Chairman of INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, made the confirmation on Tuesday at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, on Anambra Governorship Election.
The new INEC boss also reiterated his personal commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
He also affirmed that following a week-long, comprehensive readiness assessment conducted across the state, the Commission is full prepared for the polls.
He, however, said that the Commission encountered network issues while recently conducting a Mock Accreditation Exercise in 12 selected polling units in 6 Local Government Areas of the State, using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, but added that everything is being done to achieve stress-free elections.
Providing further updates, the INEC boss added, “Results will be collated at 326 Ward centres, 21 Local Government Area centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
“Due to the report of the high-powered delegation of four National Commissioners to Anambra State that only 63.9% of the voters collected their PVC, the Commission met yesterday and decided to extend the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, in Anambra State, starting from today, Wednesday, 29th October, until Sunday, 2nd November 2025.
“Our mandate is to conduct credible elections, and we are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised.
“Our mission remains ensuring that every logistical, security, and operational element required for the Anambra election is perfectly in place.
“To achieve this, synergy among all security agencies is non-negotiable, particularly at a time when the credibility of our elections is paramount.
“We have also concluded arrangements with the transport Unions, National Association of Transport Owners, NATO, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria, MUWN, and have hired 200 Buses and 83 Boats to ensure seamless transportation of poll officers and sensitive materials.
“The Anambra election must aim for even better coordination, and I charge everyone present to work tirelessly towards this goal.
“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.
“Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate during the Anambra election. Together, let us combat vote buying, uphold the values of democracy and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections.”
