The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has issued a strong warning against vote-buying as the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State approaches. He assured stakeholders that INEC is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.
During a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja, Amupitan emphasized the commission’s commitment to combat voter inducement. He stated, “Any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election will be met with the full force of the law. Together, we must combat vote-buying, uphold the values of democracy, and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections.”
Amupitan also addressed recent network challenges experienced during a mock accreditation exercise held to test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the efficiency of result transmission. He confirmed that the commission is working to resolve these issues ahead of the election.
About 24,000 INEC personnel will be deployed across 5,718 polling units, with results collated at various levels, including 326 ward centres and 21 local government areas. Amupitan noted that the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Anambra has been extended to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
The INEC Chairman praised the collaboration with security agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral environment, highlighting the importance of inter-agency synergy for maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. He expressed optimism that the upcoming election would set a benchmark for electoral integrity in Nigeria.
With approximately 2.8 million registered voters expected to participate, Amupitan reiterated that INEC is determined to deliver elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
