Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared the commission’s absolute determination to deliver a credible, inclusive, and transparent governorship election in Anambra State this Saturday, 8 November 2025. Speaking at a press conference at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman appealed to eligible voters, stating unequivocally that “the greatest enemy to Anambra’s democracy is not just external violence but voter apathy.”
Professor Amupitan highlighted a concerning historical trend of declining voter participation in the state. He disclosed that the turnout was a mere 25.5 per cent in the 2013 Governorship Election, which dropped further to 20.10 per cent in 2017, and deteriorated sharply to only 10.27 per cent in the 2021 election. He stressed the importance of civic participation, urging every eligible person to “come out and exercise their civic right without fear or favour,” as democracy only thrives when citizens actively choose their leaders.
In a positive development regarding voter preparedness, the Chairman reported a significant success in Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection. Following an extension of the collection period, the percentage of collected PVCs now stands at an “impressive 98.80 per cent,” a result he stated yielded “excellent results.” This high collection rate suggests a potential for increased participation, provided voters overcome the historical apathy.
The commission also announced a landmark decision aimed at enhancing electoral inclusion by partnering with TAFAfrica to approve the deployment of Sign Language Interpreters across all polling units. This crucial move will ensure that the 3,456 registered voters living with disabilities in Anambra State are fully able to exercise their constitutional civic rights without hindrance.
Addressing logistical readiness and security concerns, Professor Amupitan assured the public that all 5,718 polling units are mandated to open simultaneously at 8:30a.m. This operation is supported by the deployment of over 24,000 trained ad hoc personnel and 6,879 BVAS devices. Crucially, he confirmed that 45,000 police officers would be deployed for security, guaranteeing that “neutrality is guaranteed” and “impunity will not be tolerated” throughout the process.
