The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash O. Amupitan (SAN), has assured the people of Anambra State that the forthcoming governorship election will be peaceful, credible, and transparent.
He gave the assurance on Monday during the signing of the Peace Accord, organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The event brought together political candidates, security chiefs, traditional rulers, and civil society leaders in Awka.
Professor Amupitan commended the NPC for what he called its “unwavering commitment to fostering peaceful elections in Nigeria.”
He said extending the Peace Accord to off-cycle elections had helped to calm electoral tension and reduce violence in recent years.
“After witnessing the success of the Peace Accord at the national level, the NPC graciously agreed, five years ago, to our request to devolve its signing. This became necessary given the tensions and violence that have accompanied some past elections,” he stated.
But he warned that the Accord’s true value lies not in the signatures but in sincerity of purpose.
“It is not the signatures on this document that guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions,” he added, urging the 16 participating political parties to ensure that the spirit of peace flows down to their supporters across Anambra.
Preparations and Security Plans in Full Swing
Professor Amupitan revealed that INEC’s preparations for the November 8 governorship election were almost complete, with plans already in place for smooth logistics and transparent voting.
According to him, over 24,000 INEC officials and ad hoc staff will be deployed across the 5,718 polling units and several collation centres in the state.
“Voters should therefore expect a significant improvement in Election Day logistics,” he said confidently.
He disclosed that a total of 2,802,790 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots and that the Commission has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) until Sunday, November 2, to ensure no voter is left behind.
INEC, he said, has also strengthened its monitoring systems to detect and curb vote-buying, warning that “any individuals or groups planning to subvert the will of the people will be firmly confronted within the strong hands of the law.”
On security, the INEC boss said the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has designed a robust framework to secure lives and property during the polls.
The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 officers, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps will deploy 10,250 personnel to provide additional coverage.
A Call for Unity and Peace
Amupitan expressed gratitude to community leaders, religious institutions, and civic groups for their cooperation with the Commission and the Peace Committee.
He called on Anambra’s citizens to remain calm and vigilant, saying that credible elections require both institutional effort and public trust.
“Let us work together to ensure that the upcoming election is remembered not for division or discord, but for its spirit of unity and the pursuit of common goals,” he declared.
He concluded by reaffirming his confidence that Anambra will once again demonstrate its reputation as a symbol of democratic resilience.
“Let us show the world that Anambra State is a beacon of hope, resilience, and democratic values,” he said.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
