As the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is set to begin Tuesday in preparation for the Anambra off-cycle governorship election, scheduled for November this year, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police have reiterated their readiness to conduct a free and fair election with adequate security in the state. The INEC Resident Electoral
As the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is set to begin Tuesday in preparation for the Anambra off-cycle governorship election, scheduled for November this year, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police have reiterated their readiness to conduct a free and fair election with adequate security in the state.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, gave this assurance while speaking with the media today in Awka, the state capital, where she highlighted the commission’s preparation for the poll to ensure full citizen participation.
The electoral commission’s timeline required political parties to start their campaigns by June 11, 2025. The commission stated that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will take place in 326 wards throughout the state from 8 July 2025 to 17 July 2025.
Against this background, the state electoral REC outlined the mode of operations to the media, stating that all residents are to carry the voter registration in person, as it will not be conducted in absentia.
“Fresh registration must be done physically at the INEC-designated office, while data revalidation or corrections can be done online. The commission will not register anybody in absentia,” she said.
Agwu also said that INEC has configured 300 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) scanners for the Nov. 8 governorship election.
“In this regard, we have finalised arrangements with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the deployment of corps members as ad hoc staff. INEC is not collecting money from anyone. Please refrain from paying anyone for registration, and avoid attempting to register on someone else’s behalf.
“We have conducted sensitisation programmes for stakeholders in Anambra State as required by the Electoral Act,” she said.
Dr Elizabeth Agwu further explained that INEC has begun collaborating with security agencies to control security breaches ahead of the election.
“INEC has Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with transport unions across the country. They will provide logistics, and we will pay them.”
“We want this election to be better than the last one. I have personally verified our Bimodal Voter Accreditation (BVA) machines to ensure that they are fully functioning,” she said.
Agwu assured the people of adequate security during the elections and encouraged them to participate fully without fear.
“Security personnel from across the country will be deployed during the elections. Please do not be afraid,” she said.
In the same vein, Commissioner of Police (CP) Ikioye Orutugu also expressed his assurance of building a security framework by working with other security agencies and the electoral commission for the poll.
Speaking as the chairman of the state security committee, the Anambra state police commissioner analyses the security situation and plan.” Recently, we have been meeting with the INEC to fine-tune plans for the election; therefore, we are fully prepared for the elections,” he said.
He said that the police were collaborating with other security agencies to ensure security before, during and after the elections.
