The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning against vote-buying ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the warning on Tuesday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held to review preparedness for the upcoming polls.
Amupitan reaffirmed his commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people, noting that the Commission had completed a week-long readiness assessment across Anambra State.
“Our mandate is to conduct credible elections, and we are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised,” he stated.
He, however, disclosed that INEC encountered network issues during a recent Mock Accreditation Exercise conducted in 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He assured that necessary steps are being taken to ensure a seamless voting process on election day.
Providing further updates, the INEC Chairman said results of the election would be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
Following a report that only 63.9 percent of registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Amupitan announced an extension of PVC collection in Anambra State.
The exercise, he said, will continue from Wednesday, October 29, to Sunday, November 2, 2025, to allow more voters to obtain their cards.
“Our mission remains ensuring that every logistical, security, and operational element required for the Anambra election is perfectly in place,” Amupitan added.
He also emphasized the importance of synergy among security agencies, describing it as “non-negotiable” in the effort to safeguard the integrity of the polls.
The Commission, according to him, has concluded arrangements with transport unions, including the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN), hiring 200 buses and 83 boats for the smooth movement of electoral materials and personnel.
The INEC boss warned political actors and stakeholders against any form of inducement or vote trading, stressing that security agencies must ensure a zero-tolerance environment for vote buyers.
“We must join hands to combat the menace of vote buying.
Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate during the Anambra election.
Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections,” Amupitan said.
