Police, Inec Assure Anambra of Readiness for Bye-Election And Governorship Polls

Security and electoral authorities in Anambra have assured residents of their readiness ahead of the upcoming Senatorial bye-election scheduled for August 16 and the governorship election slated for November 8. INEC

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Elizabeth Agwu, both confirmed that detailed preparations were already in place to ensure smooth, peaceful, and credible elections.

Orutugu noted that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies and INEC, had been holding regular strategy meetings in anticipation of the polls.

“I am the chairman, Anambra State Security Committee,” he said.

“All the security agencies meet regularly to analyse the security situation and plan ahead.

“Recently, we have been meeting with the INEC to fine-tune plans for the election; therefore, we are fully prepared for the elections.”

He further disclosed that security measures had been put in place to guarantee safety before, during, and after the elections. He also praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for their unwavering support of the police command in Anambra.

He, however, appealed for more resources to strengthen the capacity of the police to carry out their duties effectively.

On her part, Agwu reaffirmed that INEC was fully prepared for the electoral processes and clarified that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise scheduled to commence July 17 was strictly for the November governorship election, not the August senatorial poll.

According to her, the CVR would run daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at INEC-designated centres across the state.

“Fresh registration must be done physically at INEC designated office, while data revalidation or corrections can be done online.

“The commission will not register anybody in absentia,” she said.

She advised eligible voters to take advantage of the window to either register or update their information, stressing that only registrations within the approved hours would be valid. She also confirmed that training for ad hoc staff had been concluded.

Regarding the senatorial bye-election, Agwu emphasized that voters would use their existing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). She also disclosed that a new nationwide CVR would be launched after the bye-election in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

INEC, she said, had configured 300 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) scanners for the November 8 election.

“In this regard we have finalised arrangements with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the deployment of corps members as ad hoc staff,” she told NAN.

She warned the public against paying for registration or attempting to register on behalf of others.

“INEC is not collecting money from anyone. Please do not pay anyone to be registered and do not attempt to register for anyone.

“We have conducted sensitisation programmes for stakeholders in Anambra state as required by the Electoral Act,” she said.

Agwu assured voters of adequate security and encouraged them to participate in the process without fear.

“Security personnel from across the country will be deployed during the elections. Please do not be afraid,” she said.

She also confirmed that INEC had signed agreements with transport unions for logistics support and had tested the BVAS machines herself to ensure their efficiency.

“We want this election to be better than the last one.

“I have personally verified our Bimodial Voters Accreditation (BVA) machines to ensure that they are fully functioning,” she said.