The Independent National Electoral Commission in Anambra State, has declared its readiness and preparedness to ensure hitch-free, fair, and credible elections in the state during the 2027 general elections.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Elizabeth Agwu, stated this during a stakeholders engagement meeting at the INEC’s headquarters in Awka, on Friday.
Agwu said the commission had continuously trained its personnel and upgraded its technological infrastructure and Information and Communications Technology equipment to ensure a smooth electoral process.
According to her, INEC had deployed 5,720 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines to cover the state’s 5,720 polling units, adding that about 22,280 ad hoc staff would be deployed for the exercise.
She added that the commission will begin the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards, urging the people to go to their various wards to pick up their PVCs.
She said, “The commission is ready to conduct a free, fair and hitch-free election in 2027. The materials are ready. There will be no glitch in this one. There will be no preference for anyone. The candidate who scores the goal will be the winner. We have enough security, but if you are planning to cause trouble, have a rethink.
“We have 97 days left for the elections to take place. Don’t be deceived. Go and get your PVC and be ready to vote. Handle your PVC with care and keep it in a safe place.
“We have been able to procure about 5,720 BVAS. About 22,280 ad hoc staff would be deployed. We have done an infrastructural audit to ensure the smoothness of the 2027 polls.
“There is an urgent need for those registered from January to July during the continuous voters registration exercise to go to the commission’s headquarters or designated centres to check for their names on display to collect their PVCs which exercise began on Friday, October 9 and will end on October 15.”
Agwu urged political parties and their candidates to ensure they planned themselves well, conduct themselves with decorum and to embark on their campaigns with messages and realistic promises.
The REC further warned the parties and their candidates that the commission would prosecute anybody who may give any INEC staff money to make anything work.
She further assured that acts of electoral rigging would not be tolerated, pointing out that the 2027 general elections will bring to six the number of elections so far held in Anambra State under her watch without hitches.
“On vote buying, political parties are to be blamed. Political parties must put their houses in order and be civil for there to be a credible and transparent electoral process to take place.
“Go out en masse and vote for candidates of your choice on the day of elections, but don’t go out looking for trouble because there are security agencies everywhere. INEC is there to give you a level playing platform.
“The commission has embarked on relocating its offices stationed inside the secretariats of LGAs in the state and across the country to new places as a measure to curb challenges of electoral malpractices.
“We have given out the contract for building of storage facilities and structure. We have procured adequate vehicles and other electoral materials for the smooth conduct of the elections.
“All the LGA chairmen should go around to sensitise and create awareness to the people at the grassroots in their councils to go out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice. Election and election activities are no jokes. They are serious business.
“The names of those who registered between January and July have already been published. Go and verify your names and make observations if there are any discrepancies,” she added.
The REC maintained that staff reshuffling had no political undertones and was not intended to please or disadvantage any candidate, but rather to strengthen the Commission’s capacity to deliver a credible electoral process.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by representatives of political parties, candidates and other relevant stakeholders, who contributed to discussions on preparations for the forthcoming general elections and the need to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
