INEC Reaffirms Readiness for Credible Anambra Governorship Election

By our Correspondent

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its readiness to conduct a credible, transparent, and inclusive governorship election in Anambra State next month.

Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, gave the assurance during the third quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu emphasized the Commission’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy through continuous engagement and collaboration with all stakeholders.

She explained that the quarterly consultative forum, the third for the year, serves as part of INEC’s ongoing dialogue with political parties to build mutual understanding and public confidence in the electoral process.

“The Commission is working diligently with security agencies and stakeholders at all levels to ensure a peaceful and credible Anambra Governorship Election,” she said. “We have completed ten out of the thirteen key activities in the timetable and remain firmly on course to deliver as scheduled.”

The Acting Chairman disclosed that all non-sensitive election materials had already been delivered to the state, while voter education and sensitisation efforts were ongoing across all Local Government Areas.

She reminded political parties to strictly comply with campaign timelines and other provisions in the electoral timetable.

Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu also provided updates on other electoral activities, including the recently concluded bye-elections across 12 states on August 16, 2025, and preparations for upcoming elections — the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections on February 21, 2026, the Ekiti Governorship Election on June 20, 2026, and the Osun Governorship Election on August 8, 2026.

On the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which resumed nationwide on August 18, 2025, for online pre-registration and August 25 for in-person registration, she noted that the exercise had received an encouraging response from citizens.

The Acting Chairman further revealed that the Commission had received 171 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, with 14 meeting the constitutional and legal requirements to advance to the next stage.

She thanked political parties for their cooperation and constructive engagement, assuring them that INEC would remain steadfast in its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the protection of the people’s mandate.

In his goodwill message, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, pledged the Council’s continued partnership with INEC in consolidating democratic gains. He also urged the Commission to sustain the reforms initiated under the tenure of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Dr. Dantalle further called for speedy legislative action on proposed constitutional and electoral reforms, including the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission, special seats for women, and the transfer of Local Government election responsibilities to INEC to ensure uniform electoral standards nationwide.