The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that about 24,000 ad hoc personnel will be deployed across 5,718 polling units for the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for 28 November 2025.
National Commissioner supervising Anambra State and Chairman of the Tenders Board Committee, Dr. Kenneth Ikeagu, disclosed this during a press briefing at the INEC state headquarters in Awka on Saturday.
He also revealed that 540 journalists have so far been accredited to cover the poll, assuring that the commission is fully prepared to conduct a credible, transparent, and inclusive election.
According to Ikeagu, INEC has been executing a detailed operational plan covering logistics, technology deployment, personnel training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination.
As part of this, the commission conducted a mock accreditation exercise across selected polling units in the three senatorial districts of the state to test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result upload processes via the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
The mock exercise, he said, recorded smooth operations, with voter accreditation completed in under six minutes and voting concluded within 36 minutes per polling unit.
He also confirmed that distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) is ongoing at the ward level and scheduled to end on Sunday, October 25, with no extension expected unless directed by the INEC headquarters.
Ikeagu assured voters of early deployment of election materials to prevent delays, including provisions for boats to reach riverine communities.
“The commission is fully prepared for this election,” he said. “Voting will commence by 8:30 am and end by 2:30 pm, and anyone already in the queue before the closing time will be allowed to vote.”
Sixteen candidates from 16 political parties will contest the poll, including the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is seeking re-election.
The commission appealed to voters to remain peaceful, orderly, and law-abiding as election preparations continue.
(Punch)
