The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has charged staff of the commission in Anambra State to ensure flawless logistics and prompt commencement of voting in the November 8 governorship election, warning that “the eyes of the world are on us.”
Prof. Amupitan gave the charge during a meeting with staff at the commission’s state office in Awka on Monday as part of his working visit ahead of the election. The visit, which followed a series of readiness assessments across the state, also coincided with the signing of the Peace Accord by political parties earlier in the day.
The INEC Chairman, who described the gathering as a “family meeting,” said the integrity of the forthcoming election rests squarely on the shoulders of commission staff at all levels.
“There must not be logistics failure,” he declared. “The eyes of the world are on INEC, on the Resident Electoral Commissioner, and on you the Electoral Officers. Voting must begin at exactly 8:30 a.m. in all the 5,718 polling units across the 21 local government areas. That is non-negotiable.”
Prof. Amupitan emphasised that all election materials must leave Registration Area Centres (RACs) not later than 6:00 a.m. on election morning, adding that every vehicle, driver, and security operative must be stationed at their deployment points the night before.
“If you don’t have to sleep on Friday, don’t sleep,” he said. “The first sign of a credible election is that it starts on time. When people wake up to hear that voting hasn’t started at 9:00 a.m., that’s already a failure, and we will not allow that to happen in Anambra.”
He explained that the Commission had finalised arrangements with the Inspector-General of Police for robust security deployment, noting that over 45,000 police personnel, along with operatives from other security agencies, would be on duty during the election. He further commended the successful completion of training for Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, and Assistant Presiding Officers, but urged staff to immediately escalate any emerging challenges through the Commission’s communication channels.
The INEC Chairman reminded staff of their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that every INEC official, from the headquarters to the polling unit, represents one institution created by law.
“You are the INEC that people see,” he told the Electoral Officers. “The Resident Electoral Commissioner cannot be everywhere. It is you who will be in the field, supervising the process. Your diligence, discipline, and integrity will define the credibility of this election.”
Turning to results management, Prof. Amupitan underscored the sanctity of Form EC8A, describing it as “the pyramid of votes in Nigeria.” He urged presiding officers to ensure that results are properly recorded, stamped, and signed, and that collation officers verify that the figures tally with the BVAS accreditation data before moving to the next stage.
“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” he warned. “If figures don’t align, corrections must be made transparently as the Electoral Act provides. We cannot afford errors or negligence that could undermine confidence in the process.”
He also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that INEC had extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state and made special provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to encourage wider participation.
Expressing concern over declining voter turnout in the state, the Chairman called on staff to help mobilise citizens to vote.
“In 2013, turnout was around 25 percent. In 2017, it dropped to about 20, and in the last election, only about 10 percent of registered voters participated,” he lamented. “That is not acceptable. We must restore confidence and encourage citizens to exercise their right to vote. The more voters we have, the stronger our democracy becomes.”
On logistics, Prof. Amupitan warned against any form of malpractice in the management of transport arrangements, cautioning that all hired vehicles must be fully deployed as approved. He revealed that the Commission would audit every aspect of the logistics process after the election.
“If an election fails to start on time, the Electoral Officer in that local government will have to explain why,” he stated. “We are spending huge resources to ensure that logistics work smoothly. Anyone found to have compromised the process will be held accountable.”
The INEC Chairman added that the Commission would recognise and reward high-performing local governments while sanctioning those that fall short of expectations.
“We will celebrate the best-performing local governments,” he said. “But those that cause problems will also be identified and investigated. Excellence must be rewarded, and negligence will not be tolerated.”
Prof. Amupitan closed his address with a rallying call for professionalism and commitment, describing the Anambra Governorship Election as a defining test for the Commission.
“Anambra is a microcosm of Nigeria,” he said. “Whatever happens here will echo across the country. Let us prove that INEC can deliver a credible, peaceful, and transparent election that restores the faith of Nigerians in our democracy.”
