INEC Chairman Urges Massive Voter Turnout for Anambra Governorship Election

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has made a fervent appeal to the people of Anambra State to participate en masse in the upcoming governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Speaking at a press conference held today at INEC headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman emphasized the critical role of voter turnout in strengthening democracy in the state.

Professor Amupitan highlighted a troubling trend of declining voter participation in Anambra’s past elections. “In the 2013 Governorship Election, turnout was only 25.5%. In 2017, it dropped further to 20.10%. In 2021, the situation deteriorated sharply with a mere 10.27% turnout,” he revealed.

He identified voter apathy as “the greatest enemy to Anambra’s democracy,” urging eligible voters to “come out and exercise their civic right without fear or favor.”

The INEC Chairman expressed optimism about the upcoming election, describing it as a pivotal moment for the state. “Democracy only thrives when citizens actively choose their leaders,” he stated, calling on all eligible voters to participate.

To boost turnout, INEC extended the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection period, resulting in an impressive 98.80% collection rate—a significant achievement that the Chairman attributed to the commission’s concerted efforts.

In a landmark move towards inclusivity, INEC has partnered with TAFAfrica to deploy Sign Language Interpreters across all 5,718 polling units. This initiative aims to ensure that the 3,456 registered voters living with disabilities in Anambra can fully exercise their rights. “This is a step towards making our elections truly representative,” Professor Amupitan noted.

Logistically, INEC is well-prepared for the election. The Chairman assured that all polling units will open simultaneously at 8:30 AM, supported by over 24,000 trained ad hoc personnel and 6,879 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices. Security arrangements include the deployment of 45,000 police officers, with a firm commitment to neutrality and zero tolerance for impunity.

Addressing concerns about past low turnouts, Professor Amupitan concluded with a direct message to voters: “You have collected your PVCs, security will protect you, and INEC is ready for you. So, come out on Saturday, 8th November, vote freely, vote peacefully, vote proudly.”

The announcement comes amid varied projections for voter turnout. While INEC’s efforts have boosted PVC collection, a recent poll by the African Development Institute of Research Methodology (ADIRM) predicts an optimistic 85% turnout, contrasting with earlier reports indicating only 63.9% PVC collection as of late October.

Analysts suggest that mobilization efforts and security assurances could bridge this gap, potentially making the 2025 election a turning point for Anambra’s democratic participation.

As the state gears up for this crucial election, all eyes will be on whether INEC’s preparations and the Chairman’s appeal can reverse the trend of voter apathy and deliver a credible, inclusive, and transparent process.