By Okey Maduforo Awka.
A total of 24,000 security operatives have been deployed to Anambra state ahead of the November 8th gubernatorial election in the area.
Also seven Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC ) have arrived Anambra state as part of efforts to ensure free fair and transparent election in the state.
Similarly, eleven brand new Hilux trucks have been added to the fleet of operational vehicles for the conduct of the election.
According to the Hon. Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash O. Amupitan (SAN), those vehicles wou be used to monitor activities in the 21 local government areas of the state.
He revealed that INEC has fine-tuned deployment plans for 24,000 personnel and election materials across the state’s 5,718 Polling Units and hundreds of collation centres. “Voters should therefore expect a significant improvement in Election Day logistics,” he affirmed.
The Commission has approved a final register of 2,802,790 eligible voters and extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) until Sunday, November 2, to ensure maximum participation. The Chairman also reaffirmed INEC’s resolve to firmly combat 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 the critical issue of security, the INEC Chairman disclosed that the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has instituted robust measures. He confirmed that the Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 personnel and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will deploy 10,250 officers to secure the electoral process.
With the Peace Accord in place, the proactive efforts of security agencies, and the support of traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders, Professor Amupitan expressed strong confidence that the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election will be both peaceful and successful.
Concluding his message on an optimistic note, he declared: “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.
“Let us demonstrate to the world that Anambra State is a beacon of hope, resilience, and democratic values” he said.
Also speaking at the state police command, the Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu noted that all is now set for the election adding that in the past two weeks he has been on sensitization tour of the Area Commands educating officers and men of integrity and professionalism during the conduct of the election.
