Citypost News Desk
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured Nigerians that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been upgraded to ensure greater efficiency, reliability, and transparency in the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
INEC’s Head of ICT/VR in Anambra State, Engr. Nnaji Chukwuemeka, made this known during a Forum for Media Executives, Reporters, Producers, and Online/On-Air Personalities held in Awka. He explained that the upgraded BVAS has been tested and proven to perform better than the manual voting process, particularly in voter accreditation and electronic result transmission.
Speaking further, Engr. Nnaji assured that the Commission will deploy backup BVAS devices and technical support personnel across all polling units to promptly address any technical glitches, reaffirming INEC’s commitment to ensuring smooth voting and transparent collation of results.
In her welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, commended media practitioners for their professionalism and ongoing partnership with the Commission. She assured that the media would continue to receive full cooperation and support from INEC throughout the election period, noting that adequate facilities would be provided to enable comprehensive coverage and reportage.
According to INEC, a total of 2.82 million registered voters are expected to participate in the upcoming election, representing the final number after the most recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The figure marks an increase from the previous 2.6 million registered voters.
Speaking at the event, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr. Sam Olumekun, emphasized the vital role of the media in strengthening democracy and promoting credible elections.
“As society’s mirror, the media reflects our collective conscience,” Olumekun said. “In elections, your role becomes even more sacred. You are the interpreters of the electoral process, helping citizens understand not just how to vote, but why their participation matters.”
He further noted that democracy thrives when citizens are well-informed, urging media practitioners to continue amplifying voter education messages, combating misinformation, and providing balanced reporting ahead of the polls.
Reassuring stakeholders of INEC’s readiness, Olumekun disclosed that the Commission had implemented a comprehensive operational plan covering logistics, technology deployment, staff training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination.
“Permit me to assure you that INEC is fully prepared for the upcoming Anambra Governorship Election,” he stated. “All non-sensitive materials have already been delivered to the state, while sensitive materials will arrive in due course under tight security arrangements.”
The 2025 Anambra governorship election will see 16 political parties and their candidates contesting for the mandate of over 2.8 million eligible voters, with INEC reiterating its commitment to ensuring a credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral process.
