Isaac Samuel
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, said that Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection for Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State has risen to 98.8 per cent.
The commission described the figure as one of the most impressive recorded ahead of any election in recent years.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, following a series of engagements with stakeholders in Awka, Anambra state capital, earlier in the week.
He said the surge in collection resulted from the commission’s decision to extend the PVC collection period from October 29 to November 2 across all 326 registration areas.
The move, he noted, significantly reduced the gap left after the final display and clean-up of the state’s voter register, which currently stands at 2,802,790 eligible voters.
“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 September 4th, 2025.
“Initially, only 63.9 per cent of voters had collected their PVCs. To close this gap, INEC extended the PVC collection period from Wednesday, October 29, to Sunday, November, 2, 2025, 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.”
The INEC boss revealed that all uncollected cards would be safely retrieved and stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria until after the election.
But despite the improved collection rate, Amupitan cautioned that voter apathy remains the biggest threat to the credibility of the exercise.
He recalled that turnout in past governorship elections in the state had declined sharply from 25.5 per cent in 2013, to 20.1 per cent in 2017 and about 10.27 per cent in 2021.
Noting that democracy only thrives when citizens actively choose their leaders w therefore, Amupitan urgd every person in Anambra to come out and exercise their civic right without fear or favour.
He disclosed that the Commission has deployed 6,879 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for accreditation and electronic transmission of results, backed by reserve units to address contingencies.
He also confirmed readiness of more than 24,000 ad hoc personnel, 3,000 vehicles, and 83 boats to ensure simultaneous opening of all 5,718 polling units at 8:30 a.m..
To guarantee security, the Chairman announced that 45,000 police officers, supported by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other agencies under the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), will be deployed across the state.
He stated that voters in six registration areas in Ihiala Local Government Area affected by security concerns will cast their ballots at the LGA secretariat, under heavy protection.
He said: “To demonstrate our unwavering commitment to flawless delivery, four National Commissioners have remained in Anambra to personally supervise the election, supported by 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners specially deployed from across the country.
“Please note that registered voters in the six Registration Areas facing some security challenges in Ihiala Local Government will vote safely and securely in the Local Government secretariat, protected by security agencies.”
Amupitan assured that the Commission is 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. And to the voters — you have collected your PVCs, Security will protect you, and INEC is ready for you. So, come out on Saturday, November, 8, vote freely, vote peacefully, vote proudly”, he added.
