The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that network issues encountered during the recent mock accreditation exercise in Anambra State will be fully resolved before the November 8 governorship election.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Tuesday, October 28, in Abuja during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He stated, “We recently conducted a Mock Accreditation Exercise in 12 selected polling units in 6 Local Government Areas of Anambra State, using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
“Although we encountered some network challenges, efforts are being made to ensure a seamless election on 8th November, 2025, and we are ready for large-scale deployment on Election Day.”
Amupitan explained that results will be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government collation centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
The INEC chairman, who presided over his first ICCES meeting since assuming office, reaffirmed his personal commitment to transparency and electoral integrity.
“For INEC, this represents a new chapter, and I wish to reiterate my personal commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people,” Amupitan said.
Addressing voter participation, he confirmed that the commission had extended the Permanent Voter Card collection period due to reports that only 63.9 per cent of registered voters had picked up their cards.
“This extension, from Wednesday, 29th October, to Sunday, 2nd November, 2025, is aimed at ensuring all eligible voters can collect their cards.
“We are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised,” Amupitan stated.
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He further praised the efforts of security agencies, noting that their collaboration remained essential to achieving a peaceful election.
“Synergy among all security agencies is non-negotiable, particularly at a time when the credibility of our elections is paramount,” he emphasised.
The INEC chairman also disclosed that the commission had finalised arrangements with transport unions, including the National Association of Transport Owners, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.
“We have hired 200 buses and 83 boats to ensure seamless transportation of poll officers and sensitive materials,” he said.
Amupitan warned against voter inducement, noting that the commission is working with law enforcement and anti-graft agencies to curb the menace.
He cautioned, “We would like to warn that any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election must be resisted and curtailed.
“We must join hands to combat the menace of vote buying. Together, let us combat vote buying, uphold the values of democracy, and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections.”
The meeting, which was co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and represented by Hassan Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security in the Office of the NSA, brought together senior security, intelligence, and law enforcement officials to fine-tune security plans for the election.
INEC noted that about 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate in the poll, with 11 out of 13 pre-election activities already completed, including the ongoing campaigns which will end on November 6.