‘No voter will be left behind’ — INEC declares Anambra ready for November 8 governorship election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Anambra state fully prepared for the November 8 governorship election.

In a bulletin issued on Monday, INEC said its declaration followed a weeklong readiness assessment tour of the state, led by Rhoda Gumus, national commissioner for election planning and monitoring.

The high-level delegation from INEC headquarters in Abuja, which included Sam Olumekun, Kenneth Ukeagu, and Baba Bila, who are national commissioners, completed an extensive assessment of facilities, logistics, and security arrangements across the state.

According to the bulletin, the team arrived in Awka, the state capital, on October 21 and engaged with the resident electoral commissioner and other key actors to review logistics, security, and operational arrangements.

Gumus said the visit was aimed at ensuring that every logistical, security, and operational component for the election was in place and functional.

During field visits to LGAs such as Dunukofia and Oyi, she said the team observed batching and deployment of non-sensitive materials and monitored the ongoing permanent voter card (PVC) collection exercise.

Interacting with voters, Gumus assured them that the process was inclusive and designed to leave no eligible voter behind.

“This process is designed to be smooth and inclusive. No voter will be left behind,” she said.

The team also held strategy meetings with the 21 electoral officers (EOs) responsible for managing the elections in all LGAs.

According to the bulletin, discussions centred on logistics, early activation of registration area centres (RACs), and the timely movement of personnel and materials.

Speaking during the meeting, Olumekun, chairman of the information and voter education committee, urged officials to maintain transparency.

“Keep the process clean and transparent. Professionalism remains INEC’s strongest currency,” he said.

Ukeagu, the national commissioner representing the south-east geopolitical zone, cautioned against any breach of agreement, warning that the commission would not tolerate sabotage.

“This is not business as usual. Stick to the agreed vehicles and arrangements. Payment will be prompt, but accountability must be total,” he said.

Ukeagu declared that the commission is “99 percent ready” for the polls.

“Every other component is in place, from logistics to security, from voter sensitisation to material tracking,” he said.

At the close of the tour, Gumus expressed satisfaction with INEC’s level of preparedness and stakeholder cooperation.

“Our visit has shown that Anambra is ready, INEC is ready, and the people are ready. We look forward to delivering an election that will reflect the true will of the electorate,” she said.