Anambra 2025 : INEC Vows Clampdown On Vote Buying, Other Electoral Malpractices

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has vowed to clamp down on vote buying and other electoral malpractices during the forthcoming Anambra Governorship Election scheduled for next week.

INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, who made the declaration during the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES in Abuja, warned that any attempt to induce voters before or during the election must be resisted and curtailed.

Describing vote buying as a menace contaminating the soul of Nigeria’s democracy. Prof. Amupitan urged all security agencies to remain vigilant and proactive, stating that the credibility of the Anambra election depends on their collective responsibility.

“The Commission is pleased with our collaboration with law enforcement agencies, especially the anti-graft agencies, to stop vote buyers from contaminating our electoral process. Security agents can not afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate during the Anambra election,”

“Together, let us combat vote buying, uphold the values of democracy, and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections. The path ahead may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we 6 achieve.”

The INEC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness for the November 8 election, saying that every operational, security, and logistical detail had been carefully planned and tested.

Prof. Amupitan revealed that INEC would deploy 24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units in Anambra State, while voting would not take place in two polling units due to the absence of registered voters.

“Collation of results will be done at 326 Ward Centres, 21 Local Government Area Collation Centres, and the final State Collation Centre in Awka.”

On logistics, the INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission had concluded agreements with major transport unions, including the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), for the movement of election personnel and materials.

“We have hired 200 buses and 83 boats to guarantee seamless deployment of personnel and materials, including those to riverine areas,”

Prof. Amupitan commended the synergy among security agencies, describing their cooperation as indispensable to credible elections. He revealed that a high-level ICCES meeting was recently held in Awka, during which security chiefs provided detailed reports on operations and flashpoint monitoring across the 21 local government areas.

“The Anambra election must be better coordinated than any before it. Synergy among all security agencies is non-negotiable, particularly at a time when the credibility of our elections is paramount,”

Representing the National Security Adviser, Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the ONSA, assured that the Federal Government had approved robust, intelligence-driven security arrangements to secure the electoral environment. He said the Office of the NSA remains fully committed to the Presidents directive on strategic mobilization of security forces during the electoral period.

“We have put in place enhanced surveillance, sufficient security deployment, and improved intelligence gathering to prevent any attempt by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process,” he said. Mr. Abdullahi added that political parties and their supporters must adhere to peaceful conduct, warning that any form of violence would be met with a strong, uncompromising response.

Echoing this commitment, Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, announced that 45,000 police officers would be deployed to Anambra State for the election.

“Only federal agencies represented in ICCES will be permitted to participate in election security operations. Vigilante groups and non-statutory outfits will have no role to play,” he stated.

He disclosed that tactical units would be deployed from 1st November for pre-election operations aimed at dismantling potential threats, while the usual restriction of movement would be enforced on Election Day.

According to him All entry and exit points into Anambra State will will be adequately manned.

In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General O.O. Nafi’u, assured the Commission of the Corps’ continued support and readiness to participate in the election

. He lauded the assurances given by INEC and security agencies regarding the safety, welfare, and insurance of corps members who would serve as ad hoc staff.

“Our corps members are patriotic, vibrant, and committed to credible elections. We appeal to the people of Anambra State to treat them as their own children and ensure their safety,” he said, promising to be physically present in Anambra during the election to oversee their welfare and protection.

Kayode Oyedare