The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, and credible governorship election in Anambra State scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Speaking at a forum for media executives, reporters, producers, and on-air personalities held on Tuesday in Awka, Sam Olumekun, national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), commended journalists for their professionalism during the recent by-election in the state and called for stronger collaboration in promoting democracy through responsible communication, according to a statement by the Commission.
“This forum is a reaffirmation of the Commission’s commitment to transparency, openness, and collaboration with the media—our indispensable partners in nation-building,” Olumekun said.
He described the media as “the oxygen of democracy,” urging practitioners to uphold accuracy and balance in their reportage to ensure that citizens remain well-informed ahead of the polls.
Olumekun assured participants that INEC had made significant progress in its preparations for the upcoming election.
“All non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the state, while sensitive materials will arrive in due course under strict security arrangements,” he disclosed.
The Commissioner explained that INEC’s ongoing week-long readiness assessment includes meetings with key stakeholders such as the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), transport unions, and a mock accreditation exercise to fine-tune logistics and operational efficiency.
He also announced that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise are now available for collection between Wednesday, October 22, and Sunday, October 26, 2025, at registration ward levels across the state.
“There will be no collection by proxy,” he emphasised. “We seek your support to mobilize voters through your platforms to collect their PVCs and participate in the November 8 election.”
Olumekun reminded journalists that the online accreditation portal for election coverage will close on Thursday, October 24, 2025, stressing that no extensions would be granted.
Accredited journalists, he said, can collect their tags from the NUJ Secretariat in Awka beginning Monday, November 3, 2025. Each tag will feature a unique barcode that security agencies can scan to verify accreditation details—an innovation aimed at enhancing safety and access control around election venues.
He further disclosed that the list of accredited journalists for the State Collation Centre would be shared with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and security agencies to ensure proper coordination and security during the collation of results
The INEC Commissioner highlighted fake news and misinformation as critical threats to electoral integrity and public confidence.
“False stories and manipulated videos can create unnecessary tension and erode public trust,” he warned. “Let truth remain your only compass—verify before you amplify.”
Reaffirming INEC’s long-standing partnership with the media, Olumekun stressed that the relationship was “not transactional but foundational.”
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“We are united by a shared belief that democracy must be protected, not only at the polling units but also in the minds of citizens who rely on accurate information to make informed choices,” he said.
He urged journalists to continue to play their vital role in ensuring that the Anambra Governorship Election of 2025 stands as a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey—peaceful, transparent, and credible.
