The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to clamp down on vote buying and other electoral malpractices during the forthcoming Anambra Governorship Election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash O Amupitan, SAN, made this declaration during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held in Abuja.
Prof. Amupitan warned that any attempt to induce voters before or during the election must be resisted and curtailed, describing vote buying as a menace contaminating Nigeria’s democracy. He urged security agencies to remain vigilant and proactive, stating that the credibility of the Anambra election depends on their collective resolve.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness for the election, saying every operational, security, and logistical detail had been carefully planned and tested. He announced an extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise in Anambra State, following reports that only 63.9% of registered voters had collected their cards.
INEC will deploy 24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units in Anambra State, with collation of results to be done at 326 Ward Centres, 21 Local Government Area Collation Centres, and the final State Collation Centre in Awka. The Commission has also concluded agreements with major transport unions for the movement of election personnel and materials.
Security agencies have assured robust security arrangements, with 45,000 police officers to be deployed to Anambra State. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has also pledged its support and readiness to participate in the election.