The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says that no fewer than 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate in the Nov. 8 Anambra Governorship election in the state.

Mr Ejimofor Ejikeme, Head of Department, Electoral Operations, INEC, Awka, Anambra, made this known on Tuesday, during the commission’s Forum for Media Executives, Reporters, Producers and Online-On Air Personalities held in Awka.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 16 governorship candidates and their political parties would participate in the poll.

“A total of 2.8 million registered voters will participate in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra.

“The figure rose from 2.6 million registered voters to 2.8 million after the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the state,” he said.

Ejikeme said that the figure represented the final number of registered voters after the recent CVR exercise in the state.

Earlier, Mr Sam Olumekun, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Abuja, said that the purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the democracy through credible information and responsible media communication.

“This forum is a reaffirmation of the Commission’s commitment to transparency, openness, and collaboration with the media, our indispensable partners in nation building,” he said.

Olumekun appreciated the media for  professionalism and balanced reportage during the recent concluded by-election in the state.

According to him, you upheld the ethics of journalism, resisted sensationalism, and ensured that facts, not falsehoods, guided public understanding.

“For this, the commission says thank you. Your work continues to serve as the oxygen of democracy, enlightening citizens, holding institutions accountable, and bridging the gap between the governed and those who govern.

“As society’s mirror, the media reflects our collective conscience. In elections, your role becomes even more sacred.

“You are the interpreters of the electoral process, helping citizens understand not just how to vote, but why their participation matters. Democracy thrives when citizens are well-informed. 

“To be well-informed, they must have access to accurate, timely, and balanced information. That is why the commission continues to count on you to amplify voter education messages, combat misinformation, and keep the public engaged with truth and context,” he said.

He said that the INEC was ready for the Nov. 8 governorship election in the state.

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According to him, in line with our commitment to credible and inclusive elections, the commission has been implementing a comprehensive plan of activities covering logistics, technology, training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination.

“The commission’s level of readiness is both practical and measurable. All non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the state, while sensitive materials will arrive in due course under strict security arrangements. 

“This week, the commission is in Anambra for a week-long readiness assessment visit. The visit will feature meetings with key stakeholders, including the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), transport unions, and a mock accreditation, and an overall review of preparations.

“These activities send a clear message that INEC is ready and fully committed to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Anambra,” he said.

The  INEC’s National Commissioner informed newsmen that the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the recently conducted CVR exercise in the state was ready for collection.

“Starting from Oct 22 to Oct. 26 Oct., Anambra electorate, who registered within the last exercise, are encouraged to visit the wards where they registered to collect their PVCs.  

“I must emphasise that there will be no collection by proxy. We seek your support in this regards to help mobilise registrants through your various platforms to pick up these PVCs in order to participate in the election,” he said.

Similarly, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Elizabeth Agwu, said that 21 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) were helping to educate the electorate in the state on their voting rights.

Agwu called on the residents to come out en masse to vote in the election.

She said that accreditation and voting would start at 8.30a and end by 2.30pm.

(NAN)

Proceedings at the Edo Governorship Election Petition  Tribunal sitting in Abuja, were stalled on Wednesday due to the absence of witnesses of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that INEC is listed as the 1st respondent in the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Mr Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, gubernatorial election in Edo.

NAN also reports that the commission was billed to open its defence on Wednesday after the petitioners closed their case on Monday.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the commission, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu, told the tribunal that the five witnesses listed were still on their way to Abuja from Benin City.

Aliyu, however, tendered three documents before the Wilfred Kpochi-led three member tribunal to show that the commission was interested in opening its case.

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The documents tendered by the electoral body were the certified true copies of the collation of result at the state level (or Form EC8D), the declaration of results and the regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections, 2022.

The electoral umpire assured the tribunal that it would need only one day to conclude its case.

Justice Kpochi faulted INEC’s approach to oars case saying that the whole day had been wasted.

INEC’s counsel prayed the tribunal to grant the adjournment saying it had been given a ten-day timeline for its defence, adding that it had sufficient time to open and close its case.

On his part, Mr Adetunji Oyeyipo, counsel to Ighodalo, did not object to INEC’s tendering of the document.

He said that they were the same document the PDP had already tendered to prove its case that the outcome of the Edo governorship election was flawed.

The tribunal adjourned until Thursday for the commission to call its witnesses.

NAN reports that the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, praying it to invalidate the outcome of the governorship election on the grounds of alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

They further contended that Gov. Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) did not secure the highest number of majority votes cast in that election.

(NAN)