INEC confirms readiness for Anambra governorship election and two bye-elections, assuring a transparent and credible process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed its preparedness to conduct the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8.

Queen Agwu, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), made this announcement on Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists in Awka. The election is part of Nigeria’s off-cycle polls, and alongside it, INEC will also conduct two bye-elections in the state.

The bye-elections are necessary due to the passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial Zone, and the vacancy in the Onitsha North Constituency seat in the State House of Assembly. The latter became vacant following the tragic kidnap and murder of Justice Azuka of the Labour Party.

“We are ready for the Anambra governorship election, hoping that political parties and the politicians are also preparing on their own,” Agwu said.

She emphasized that the three elections could not be held on the same day but assured that INEC was fully prepared. She urged political parties and candidates to follow electoral rules, start mobilizing their members, and organize their primaries accordingly.

The REC assured that the federal government would provide the necessary funding for INEC to conduct the elections, promising a transparent and credible process.

Agwu also praised the media for their balanced reporting, which she credited for maintaining peace in the state. She recalled that since her arrival in 2021, she had worked closely with the media to ensure accurate information dissemination, preventing misinformation and rumors.

“In Nigeria, when an official does the right thing, people will not acknowledge or praise you, but once you do the wrong thing, criticism is everywhere,” she noted.

She reiterated that all elections, regardless of scale, are taken seriously. As preparations intensify, INEC will update the voters' register, hold stakeholder meetings, improve technological systems, and recruit additional personnel, including ad-hoc staff and transporters. She also called for enhanced security measures compared to the 2021 general elections.