The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election, assuring Nigerians that the exercise will be free, fair, and credible.
Acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, gave the assurance on Wednesday, October 15, during the Commission’s third quarterly consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at its headquarters in Abuja.
She said the Commission had completed 10 of the 13 key activities outlined in the election timetable, adding that the remaining steps would be concluded before the polls.
“The publication of the Notice of Poll will take place on October 25, campaigns end on November 6, and the election will be held on November 8,” she explained.
Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity, noting that the Anambra election would serve as a test of Nigeria’s readiness for subsequent off-cycle polls in Ekiti, Osun, and the FCT Area Council elections.
She also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which has seen a steady increase in participation since it resumed nationwide in August.
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“The turnout so far has been encouraging and demonstrates the people’s trust in democracy,” she said.
On political party regulation, the Acting Chairman disclosed that 171 associations had applied for registration as political parties, with 14 advancing to the next stage after meeting constitutional requirements.
Civil Society Organisations present at the meeting pledged to support INEC’s efforts to conduct credible polls.
Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), who spoke on behalf of the CSOs, congratulated Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu on her historic appointment and called for vigilance in monitoring sub-national elections.
“The quality of elections at the state level depends largely on the competence and integrity of those administering them,” he said, urging INEC to maintain its focus on credibility and technology-driven transparency.
The meeting, which began with a public session, later moved into a closed-door discussion focused on strengthening collaboration between INEC and civil society ahead of the Anambra poll.