No fewer than 79,250 personnel would be deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to carry out electoral and security duties on Saturday in Anambra State during the governorship poll.
While INEC would deploy 24,000 personnel to overssee the elections across 5,718 Polling Units, 326 Ward Collation Centres, 21 Local Government Collation Centres, and the State Collation Centre, the police would deploy 45,000 personnel and the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps will deploy 10,250 officers, alongside other agencies.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan statèd this while speaking after the signingof the peace accord by governorship candidates participating in the election on Saturday in the state.
The Commission called on all political parties and their candidates in the Saturday Anambra Governorship election to honour the spirit and letter of the Peace Accord they signed.
The signing of the peace accord was convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC) led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Amupitan urged the candidates to ensure that the message of non-violence and mutual respect cascades to their supporters at all levels.
He noted that similar engagements had successfully been conducted in Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi and Edo states, noting that encouragingly, parties and candidates largely honoured their commitments under the accord, contributing to peaceful outcomes in spite pre-election anxieties.
Amupitan reassured all political parties and candidates that INEC remains fully committed to discharging its duties in line with the law, global best practices, and the very principles enshrined in the peace accord.
“Let me emphasise that it is not the signatures on this document that guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions.
“Without peace, logistics will be disrupted, our personnel and materials put at risk and ultimately, the credibility of the process undermined.
“Therefore, as you append your signatures today, please ensure the message cascades to your supporters at all levels. This is the surest way to honour the sacrifice and labour of the NPC in advancing peaceful elections,” Amupitan said.
He said that by signing the peace accord, the stakeholders were not only affirming their dedication to non-violence and mutual respect among all stakeholders, but also sending a strong message to our citizens that democracy thrives when peace prevails.
He noted that each of the stakeholders has a part to play in the electoral process and urged them to ensure that the upcoming election is remembered not for division or discord, but for its spirit of unity and the pursuit of common goals.
“Let us demonstrate to the world that Anambra is a beacon of hope, resilience, and democratic values.
“On our part, the commission has taken deliberate steps to address operational challenges and ensure a smooth, credible election across the state.
“We have extensively engaged our officials, transport providers and security agencies to fine-tune deployment arrangements for 24,000 personnel and election materials across 5,718 Polling Units, 326 Ward Collation Centres, 21 Local Government Collation Centres, and ultimately, the State Collation Centre in Awka,” he said.
Amupitan said that voters should expect a significant improvement on election day logistics, adding that enhanced result management processes will also be evident.
He disclosed that INEC had approved a final register of 2,802,790 eligible voters for the election and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) extended to Sunday November 2.
He stated that any individuals or groups planning to subvert the will of the people would be firmly confronted within the strong hands of the law.
“The Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has instituted robust security measures for this election.
“The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 personnel, While the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is deploying 10,250 officers, alongside other Agencies,” he said.
Amupitan said that with the peace accord, the proactive efforts of security agencies and the valuable contributions of traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, civil society, the media and other stakeholders, INEC was confident of peaceful and successful election in Anambra.
