Awka, Nov. 6, 2025 — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing sensitive and non-sensitive materials for Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election, with a heightened security footprint across the state.
Materials that arrived at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Awka on Wednesday were sorted and dispatched on Thursday under the supervision of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Elizabeth Agwu, amid tight security and in the presence of party agents and election observers.
Sensitive items moved included BVAS devices and result forms EC8A/EC8B, while non-sensitive materials were routed to Registration Area Centres (RACs) as part of INEC’s final-stage logistics push.
“We started early to ensure every polling unit is properly supplied ahead of election day,” Dr. Agwu said, urging voters to turn out in large numbers. “People should come out and vote. Do not assume your vote will not count… INEC is prepared to deliver a credible and peaceful election.”
In a parallel briefing, the Commissioner of Police overseeing the poll, CP Abayomi Shogunle, announced a security reinforcement from 45,000 to 55,000 personnel to cover deployment, logistics hubs, RACs and polling units statewide. He stressed the show of force is for protection, not intimidation.
“The increase in personnel is to ensure effective operations and reassure voters and electoral officials,” he said, adding that at least three officers will be stationed at every polling unit. The multi-agency deployment draws from the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, NDLEA, DSS and others.
INEC said it has concluded coordination with political parties, security agencies and civil society organisations, and that movement of key sensitive materials to RACs is underway to enable early morning activation of polling units.
A total of 16 candidates from 16 political parties are contesting the governorship, including the incumbent, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who is seeking re-election.
Polls open Saturday, November 8, with INEC reiterating that accreditation and voting will follow BVAS-backed procedures and that result collation will be conducted in the presence of party agents and observers. The Commission urged residents to remain peaceful, comply with lawful directives, and report any irregularities to officials on duty.
