Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Agwu, has said a total of 2,803,000 registered voters are expected to participate in the November 8 governorship election in the state.

Speaking at a strategy dialogue with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room in Abuja on Tuesday, convened by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Agwu revealed that about 140,907 newly registered voters would collect their Permanent Voter Cards before the end of the week, while 978 backup Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines had been reserved for deployment across the 5,720 polling units in the state.

She said, “A total number of 2.803 million registered voters are expected to participate in the election.

“Before the end of this week, about 140, 907 newly registered voters will get their Permanent Voters Card. 978 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS machines have been reserved for the election that will take place in 5,720 polling units in the state.

“All the ballot papers and the result sheets are polling unit specific. What it means is that you cannot use a material meant for one polling unit in another unit.”

Agwu also noted that all BVAS devices had been charged and secured, while sensitive materials would be distributed under strict documentation and supervision at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Some of the materials are already safely in our possession. My store officer locked the storage room, and I locked it again with my own key. You cannot break it except you pull down the building,” she said.

The REC disclosed that security personnel across the three senatorial districts had undergone training ahead of the election, while 16 political parties and their candidates would be contesting the governorship seat.

“We have published the list of candidates and their deputies in all 21 local government areas, as required by law. We have followed every provision of the Electoral Act,” she added.

Agwu, who pledged neutrality and transparency, stressed that she had never been influenced or directed by any political actor since assuming office.

“No one has ever asked me to favour any candidate. I am here to serve Nigeria and do what is right. I have been praying that God will not allow me to be coerced,” she said.

Acknowledging that challenges such as funding, logistics, and security concerns persist, the REC assured that all contingency plans had been activated to mitigate any disruption.

“There are challenges, but we have strategies in place. We are working hard, and God is helping us. The people of Anambra can go to the polls with confidence,” she said.

Also speaking, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ekulu Remijius, who represented the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, assured all that the police and other security agencies were ready to secure the electoral process.

“We have done all our simulations and they are top-notch. Off-cycle elections come with both positives and negatives while some may seek to infiltrate and cause mayhem, the state will be flooded with security operatives to ensure safety,” he said.

Remijius disclosed that a show of force would be conducted on the eve of the election, with blackspots already identified for preemptive raids.

“All roads will be blocked on election eve. Only accredited persons will be allowed to move. Military personnel will also secure boundary towns to prevent infiltration, while police formations will converge at collation centres to ensure a fortified process,” he said.

Earlier, the Convener of the Situation Room, Mr. Y. Z. Ya’u, said the dialogue provided civil society organisations the opportunity to interface with INEC on its level of preparedness for the poll, adding that credible elections remain central to Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.

The November 8 governorship election in Anambra State comes at a time of heightened political and security sensitivity in the South-East region.

The contest is expected to be a major test for the Independent National Electoral Commission as it continues to refine the use of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, following mixed experiences during the 2023 general elections. (The PUNCH)