The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that 2,769,137 of the 2,802,790 registered voters in Anambra State, representing 98.8 per cent, have collected their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, described the turnout for PVC collection as “a significant achievement” for any election in Nigeria.
He noted that extending the deadline across all 326 Registration Areas allowed nearly all eligible voters to obtain their cards.
“Following the conclusion of voter registration and a thorough database clean-up, the commission finalised a register of 2,802,790 voters for this election on Sept. 4. Initially, only 63.9 per cent of voters had collected their PVCs.
“To close this gap, INEC extended the PVC collection period from Wednesday, Oct. 29 to Sunday, Nov. 2, ensuring collection centres were open across all 326 Registration Areas (Wards).
“I am delighted to share a success story today: that extension has yielded excellent results. The percentage of collected PVCs to registered voters now stands at an impressive 98.80 per cent.
“This is a significant collection rate for any election in Nigeria, and it sends a clear signal. All uncollected cards will now be safely retrieved and stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria until after the election,” he stated.
Amupitan urged all eligible voters to turn out in large numbers, assuring them of their safety during the election.
He also expressed concern over historically low voter participation in Anambra, citing declining turnout in previous elections.
“In 2013, turnout was only 25.5 per cent (413,005 valid votes from 1,770,125 registered). In 2017, it dropped further to 20.10 per cent (422,314 valid votes from 2,364,134 registered). In 2021, the situation deteriorated sharply with a mere 10.27 per cent turnout (241,523 valid votes from 2,466,638 registered).
“Democracy only thrives when citizens actively choose their leaders. I, therefore, urge every person in Anambra to come out and exercise their civic right without fear or favour,” he said.
He added that INEC is deploying resources carefully to ensure all 5,718 polling units open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. on election day.
“To demonstrate our unwavering commitment to flawless delivery, four National Commissioners have remained in Anambra to personally supervise the election, supported by ten Resident Electoral Commissioners specially deployed from across the country,” he said.
Regarding security, Amupitan said that registered voters in six Registration Areas of Ihiala Local Government facing challenges would vote safely at the Local Government secretariat under the protection of security agencies.
“As a commission, we are determined to deliver an election that is credible, inclusive, transparent, and efficiently executed.
“Anyone attempting violence, vote-buying, intimidation, or ballot interference will face swift, lawful consequences.
“To the voters, you have collected your PVCs, security will protect you, and INEC is ready for you. So, come out on Saturday, vote freely, vote peacefully, vote proudly,” he said.
On addressing misconduct by ad hoc officers, Amupitan said the “riot act” had already been read to participating officers during a stakeholders meeting in Awka.
“We stressed that the resident electoral commissioner should own up the system, electoral officers should also own it up, and any case of misconduct will not be tolerated.
“So at the same time, we also promised to reward any local government, any electoral officer that comes up clean and the results are announced on time.
“But on the other hand, anyone that commits any misconduct will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
On the Federal Capital Territory Area Council Election, Amupitan reminded political parties that the submission of names of polling agents and observers for the election will end on Dec. 15.
