The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has directed that all election materials for the November 8 Anambra governorship election must arrive at their designated polling units by 7:00 a.m. on election day.
Amupitan, who gave the directive on Sunday during an inspection of INEC offices in Awka and Oyi Local Government Areas, said the measure was aimed at ensuring that polling commences promptly by 8:30 a.m. without any logistical delays.
“Every material must be at the polling unit by 7 a.m. Polling must start at 8:30 a.m. without excuses. Nigerians deserve a process that begins and ends on time, and INEC is determined to meet that standard,” Amupitan stated.
According to his spokesperson, Dayo Oketola, the INEC chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to deliver a peaceful, transparent, and credible election, warning against attempts by “vested interests” to undermine the process.
“Our responsibility is to the people of this nation. We are fully prepared to deliver an election that is fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will,” he said.
Amupitan, who was accompanied by National Commissioners Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, and Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, said the Commission’s priority was operational efficiency and transparency. He also ordered that result collation must be done in the presence of party agents and that outcomes must align precisely with data captured by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He further emphasised INEC’s ongoing collaboration with political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, and the media, noting that transparency and partnership remain the foundation of credible elections.
“We are committed to carrying every stakeholder along. Transparency and partnership remain the bedrock of our credibility,” he added.
Providing an operational update, the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, said all non-sensitive materials had been distributed to the 21 Local Government Areas, while BVAS devices had been configured, tested, and certified ready for deployment.
“We have left nothing to chance. From the training of personnel to the deployment of materials, every necessary step has been taken to ensure a smooth, credible, and technology-driven election,” Agwu assured.
She added that generators had been strategically deployed to guarantee uninterrupted power supply during voting and result collation.
