INEC to deploy 24,000 ad hoc staff for Anambra poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission has disclosed that about 24,000 ad hoc staff of all categories will be deployed in 5,718 polling units during the Anambra State governorship election slated for November 8, 2025.

The National Commissioner Supervising Anambra and Chairman Tenders Board Committee, ⁠Dr Kenneth Ikeagu, disclosed this while addressing journalists during a press briefing at the INEC state headquarters in Awka, on Saturday.

Ikeagu also said apart from the ad hoc staff, about 540 journalists have been accredited to cover the election, adding that the commission is fully prepared and committed to the governorship poll in line with its commitment to credible and inclusive elections.

He said the commission has been implementing a comprehensive plan of activities covering logistics, technology, training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination, including the conduct of a mock accreditation exercise, which was conducted across selected polling units in three senatorial districts of the state on Saturday.

The exercise, according to Ikeagu, is to test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, assess its efficiency, and evaluate the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal ahead of the main election.

Selected polling units include Anambra Central: Awka South (Amawbia II – Igwédimma Primary School I & II), Idemili North (Nkpor II – Ububa Village Square, Ifeadigo Hall), Anambra North: Oyi (Nteje III & IV – Girls Secondary School, State Primary School), Anambra East (Aguleri II – Central School, Umunoke Public Square I) and Anambra South: Aguata (Ekwulobia I & II – Central School, Urban Girls Secondary School), Orumba North (Ajalli I – Primary School, RCM KDT School).

According to him, the exercise was aimed at evaluating logistics, operational readiness, and general preparedness ahead of the governorship poll.

He said, “The commission has been implementing a comprehensive plan of activities covering logistics, technology, training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination, including the conduct of a mock accreditation exercise which was conducted across selected polling units in three senatorial districts of the state today(Saturday).

“We carried out a mock accreditation and other voting exercise today, and the process went seamlessly. Accreditation took place seamlessly in under six minutes, and voting happened within 36 minutes.

“The exercise is to test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, assess its efficiency, and evaluate the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal ahead of the main election.

“For the November 8, 2025, election, we are deploying about 24,000 ad hoc staff of all categories in 5,718 polling units across the state, with 540 accredited journalists also covering the election. The commission is fully prepared and committed to the forthcoming governorship poll in line with our commitment to credible and inclusive elections.

“The collection of PVCs is ongoing across wards, and it is ending on Sunday, October 25. The collection exercise will not be extended unless there is a special directive from the head office to that effect. We don’t have the total figure of those who have collected at the moment, but at the end of the day, we will announce the figure.

“We assured the electorate of the prompt arrival of electoral materials. The commission has arranged for boats and has released funds for boats that will convey electoral officers and materials to the riverine areas in the state.

“Materials will be leaving on Thursday afternoon, and if they leave at that time, and the election is on Saturday, there is no way there will be a late arrival of materials. We are very much prepared for this election.

“Anambra people are very knowledgeable, and they have been adequately enlightened on how to vote and when to come out. We said the election will start by 8:30am and it will end by 2:30pm. If you are in the queue within this time, you are going to cast your ballot.”

On the number of people who have so far collected their PVCs since the collection started on Wednesday, October 22, Ikeagu said he does not have the figure as the exercise is still ongoing, adding that at the end of the exercise, the number of those who have collected their PVCs will be announced.

After the exercise, the team expressed satisfaction with the level of progress achieved so far, commending both INEC staff and residents for their cooperation.

It also urged voters to remain patient, law-abiding, and orderly as preparations continue.

About 16 governorship candidates from 16 political parties are contesting for the election on November 8, 2025, to challenge the incumbent governor and the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is also seeking re-election.