- as parties sign peace accord ahead of November 8 poll
- Over 55,000 security operatives to monitor exercise
By John Dike, Osogbo
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has charged staff of the Commission in Anambra State to ensure flawless logistics and prompt commencement of voting in the November 8 governorship election, warning that “the eyes of the world are on us.”
He gave the charge during a meeting with staff at the Commission’s State Office in Awka on Monday, November 3, 2025, as part of his working visit ahead of the election. The visit coincided with the signing of the Peace Accord by political parties earlier in the day.
According to him, “the integrity of the forthcoming election rests squarely on the shoulders of Commission staff at all levels.
He warned, “There must not be logistics failure.
“The eyes of the world are on INEC, on the Resident Electoral Commissioner, and on you, the Electoral Officers. Voting must begin at exactly 8:30 a.m. in all 5,718 polling units across the 21 local government areas. That is non-negotiable.”
Amupitan emphasised that all election materials must leave Registration Area Centres (RACs) no later than 6:00 a.m. on the election morning, adding that every vehicle, driver, and security operative must be stationed at their deployment points the night before.
“If you don’t have to sleep on Friday, don’t sleep. The first sign of a credible election is that it starts on time.”
He disclosed that INEC had finalised arrangements with the Inspector-General of Police for robust security deployment, noting that over 45,000 police personnel, along with operatives from other security agencies, would be on duty during the election.
The INEC Chairman urged staff to promptly report any operational challenges through official communication channels and reminded them of their constitutional responsibilities.
“You are the INEC that people see. Your diligence, discipline, and integrity will define the credibility of this election.”
On results management, Amupitan underscored the sanctity of Form EC8A, describing it as “the pyramid of votes in Nigeria.”
He urged presiding officers to ensure results are properly recorded, stamped, and signed, while collation officers must verify that figures tally with BVAS accreditation data before moving to the next stage.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that the Commission had extended Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection and made special provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to encourage broader participation.
“In 2013, turnout was around 25 percent. In 2017, it dropped to about 20 percent, and in the last election, only about 10 percent of registered voters participated. That is not acceptable. We must restore confidence and encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote,” he said.
He warned against any malpractice in logistics management, adding that the Commission would audit the process after the election and reward high-performing local governments while sanctioning those that fall short.
“Anambra is a microcosm of Nigeria. Whatever happens here will echo across the country. Let us prove that INEC can deliver a credible, peaceful, and transparent election that restores faith in our democracy”, he said.
Also, the INEC Chairman urged political parties, candidates, and their supporters to demonstrate genuine commitment to peace ahead of the November 8 election.
Speaking at the signing of the Peace Accord in Awka, Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s determination to conduct a credible, transparent, and peaceful election in line with the law and global best practices.
“The signatures on this document do not guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions that will,” he cautioned
He expressed gratitude to the National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (GCFR), for promoting peaceful elections nationwide.
The INEC boss disclosed that 2,802,790 registered voters are expected to participate across 5,718 polling units, supported by over 24,000 ad hoc personnel and multiple security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He also noted that PVC collection had been extended to Sunday, November 2, and reiterated the Commission’s resolve to combat vote-buying and electoral malpractice.
On security, Amupitan announced that the Nigeria Police Force would deploy 45,000 officers, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would contribute 10,000 personnel, alongside other agencies.
Representing General Abdulsalami, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) described peace as the “bedrock of democracy,” urging candidates to act with restraint and a sense of responsibility.
“Leadership is not only in seeking power but in safeguarding peace and ensuring that no life is put at risk,” he said.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, DIG Benjamin Okolo reaffirmed the Force’s neutrality and readiness to secure all polling units in the state, warning that non-state actors would be barred from performing security duties.
“Our professionalism will be matched by precision, and our civility by firmness. The peace of Anambra State is non-negotiable,” he declared.
