We’re on track for Anambra poll, INEC assures Political Parties

The Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, on Tuesday assured political parties that the Commission is fully on track to deliver a credible governorship election in Anambra State on November 8, 2025.

Speaking during a quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, Agbamuche-Mbu disclosed that the Commission had completed 10 out of the 13 key activities listed in the timetable ahead of the poll.

She said, “INEC has met with security agencies, delivered all non-sensitive materials and ongoing voter education is in progress. We are on schedule, and we will keep strictly to the remaining activities.”

The Acting Chairman also warned political parties to respect the November 6 campaign deadline, stressing that the Commission would not shift any date already published in its timetable.

She noted that preparations had also advanced for the FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, as well as off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

On voter registration, Agbamuche-Mbu said the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which resumed in August, would run until August 30, 2026, adding that the high turnout signalled renewed confidence in the electoral process.

She further revealed that out of 171 groups that applied for registration as political parties, only 14 scaled the initial stage, having met constitutional and legal requirements.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, congratulated the Acting INEC Chairman but said the Commission’s performance in Anambra would determine public trust going forward.

He said, “The Anambra election will be your first major test. Nigerians are watching. Expectations are high, and INEC must justify the confidence placed in it.”

Dantalle also disclosed that IPAC had submitted proposals to the National Assembly seeking major electoral reforms, including the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions, transferring full control of local government elections to INEC, creation of special seats for women, restoration of funding for political parties, and the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission.

He said only a transparent and credible process, not assurances, would convince Nigerians ahead of the 2026 polls and the 2027 general elections.