By Atlantic Reports

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has outlined preparations for the 2027 general elections in Anambra State, assuring residents of its commitment to conducting transparent, peaceful and credible polls.

The state's Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Elizabeth Agwu, disclosed the commission's level of preparedness during a stakeholders' meeting held on Friday in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Although the commission's readiness was initially put at 80 per cent, Agwu subsequently declared that INEC was fully prepared for the elections, citing progress in logistics, technology, security coordination and personnel training.

The meeting brought together representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, religious and community leaders, journalists and security agencies.

Agwu assured participants that the commission would maintain neutrality throughout the electoral process, insisting that voters, rather than political influence, would determine the outcome.

“There will be no preference for anyone; the person who scores the goal will be the winner,” she said.

She also warned individuals and groups contemplating electoral violence to reconsider their plans, stressing that security arrangements were being strengthened to protect the process.

INEC Procures 5,720 BVAS Machines, Upgrades Electoral Infrastructure

Providing details of the commission's preparations, Agwu disclosed that INEC had procured approximately 5,720 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, alongside additional reserve devices, for the state's 5,720 polling units.

The BVAS technology is designed to support voter accreditation through biometric verification, making its availability and functionality central to the credibility of the electoral process.

According to Agwu, the commission has also undertaken an infrastructure audit, upgraded its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities and introduced regular training programmes to improve staff competence.

“We have been able to train our staff in various stages because as technology is improving, we are adapting too to the technological development,” she explained.

She further disclosed that rehabilitation and construction work had commenced on INEC offices in local government areas, while contracts had been awarded for additional storage facilities and supporting infrastructure.

The commission has also procured vehicles and other electoral materials intended to improve logistics and facilitate the timely movement of personnel and equipment.

However, the effectiveness of these preparations will ultimately depend on their implementation, particularly the availability of functional accreditation devices, reliable logistics and timely deployment of election officials.

PVC Collection Underway as INEC Urges Eligible Voters to Participate

Agwu called on residents who participated in the Continuous Voter Registration exercise between January and July 2026 to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

She announced that the collection exercise would run from October 9 to October 15 at the commission's headquarters and designated collection centres.

The REC emphasised that PVC collection was free and warned residents against offering money to electoral officials.

“You don’t need to offer any INEC staff or any adhoc staff money to collect your PVC,” she said.

She also encouraged eligible residents who had yet to register to take advantage of the commission's voter registration arrangements.

Voter registration and PVC collection remain important aspects of electoral participation, particularly for first-time voters and residents who may face difficulties accessing registration or collection centres.

Political Parties Warned Against Vote Manipulation and Financial Inducement

Addressing political parties and candidates, Agwu warned against attempts to compromise electoral officials, manipulate results or disrupt voting.

She maintained that the commission would pursue legal action against individuals found attempting to bribe INEC personnel to influence election outcomes.

“Go and do your home work but if you want shortcut, there is none,” she cautioned.

The REC disclosed that INEC was monitoring political parties' campaign expenditure and urged candidates to comply with electoral regulations.

She encouraged parties to focus their campaigns on policies, development priorities and realistic commitments rather than inflammatory rhetoric or personal attacks.

According to her, Anambra voters deserve clear explanations of candidates' previous achievements and their plans for addressing the state's challenges.

“People of Anambra are interested in what you have done before and what you will do for them in future,” she said.

The warning comes as political parties prepare for an election in which public confidence will depend not only on INEC's assurances but also on the conduct of candidates, party supporters and security personnel.

Security, Staff Training and Independent Electoral Offices

Agwu disclosed that the commission had engaged security agencies and other stakeholders in consultations aimed at identifying potential threats and strengthening election-day coordination.

She said training for ad hoc electoral personnel was expected to begin online the following week.

The REC also revealed plans to relocate INEC offices currently situated within local government secretariats to separate facilities.

According to her, the initiative is intended to reduce vulnerabilities associated with electoral interference and strengthen the commission's operational independence.

The proposed relocation raises important questions about the availability of suitable facilities, the completion timetable and the resources required to make the new offices operational before the elections.

Stakeholders Demand Early Arrival of Officials and Election Materials

Despite INEC's assurances, participants at the meeting raised concerns about operational challenges that could undermine voting.

They urged the commission to prioritise the timely distribution of election materials and ensure that electoral officers arrive at polling units before voting begins.

Stakeholders also called for adequate security arrangements before, during and after the elections to protect voters, officials and electoral infrastructure.

Their concerns highlight the importance of translating administrative preparations into practical improvements at polling units, where delays, equipment failures and security disruptions can affect voter confidence.

Credibility Will Depend on Delivery, Not Assurances

With preparations progressing, INEC faces the responsibility of demonstrating that its technological investments, logistical arrangements and security commitments can withstand the pressures of a major election.

Although Agwu expressed confidence that the polls would proceed without technical difficulties, the commission has yet to publicly establish, within the details presented at the meeting, how all potential operational challenges will be addressed.

Questions also remain about the completion of office rehabilitation projects, testing of BVAS devices, distribution schedules and contingency arrangements for polling units experiencing equipment failures.

For voters across Anambra's urban centres and rural communities, the ultimate measure of electoral preparedness will be whether they can collect their voter cards, access polling units safely, receive timely accreditation and cast their ballots without intimidation or unnecessary delays.

As political activities intensify ahead of 2027, the commission's ability to deliver on its commitments will be central to sustaining public trust in the electoral process.

Editor's Note: The information supplied contains conflicting assessments of INEC's readiness, initially stating 80 per cent before quoting the REC as declaring 100 per cent preparedness. It also refers to 97 days remaining until the elections, a timeline that requires clarification against the official election schedule. These discrepancies should be verified before publication.

 

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