By Ovat Abeng
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the various local government areas ahead of the Saturday, November 8, 2025 Anambra State governorship election.
On the ground to supervise the distribution of the electoral materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria office in Awka, on Thursday, was the Residential Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Awgu in the presence of heavy deployment of security personnel.
At the Awka branch of the CBN, party agents were also seen supervising the distribution of the sensitive materials by INEC officials under the watchful eyes of security operatives.
The sensitive materials include the BIVAS, forms EC8 A and EC 8 which according to the Resident Electoral Commission Queen Elizabeth Agwu would be sent to the Registration Area Centers (RAC).
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The REC, Dr Queen Awgu, who spoke to journalists, while the materials were being loaded into the vehicles said the idea is to ensure that the election started as scheduled, noting that it is the only way the process can go on without delay.
Awgu said the three sensitive materials were for the November 8, governorship election in Anambra state.
She urged residents of the state to come out en masse on Saturday and exercise their franchise, rather than staying at home under the assumption that their votes will not count or that their preferred candidate has already won.
According to her, INEC has made comprehensive preparations in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including political parties, security agencies, and civil society organisations to ensure that the forthcoming election is free, fair, transparent, and credible.
She said, “People should come out and vote; participate in this election process. Do not stay at home thinking that your vote will not count, and do not assume that your candidate has already won. INEC is fully prepared for this election and we are assuring the people of Anambra State of a credible and peaceful exercise.
“Party agents and security operatives jointly supervised the distribution of sensitive materials to ensure transparency. We have been at the CBN since 9am, and everything has gone smoothly without any challenges or compliant. This shows our readiness and commitment to delivering a credible election.”
Agwu, however, explained that the commission commenced the movement and distribution of three key sensitive materials—the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Forms EC8A, and Forms EC8B—to the various Registration Area Centres (RACs) as part of the final preparations for the election.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anambra State election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, disclosed that the number of security personnel deployed for the poll had been increased from 45,000 to 55,000 officers.
According to Shogunle, the measure is intended to ensure adequate security across the state and protect both voters and electoral officials during the exercise.
“The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and safety at every polling unit. We want to guarantee voters’ confidence in coming out to cast their ballots without fear.
“The increase is not to scare legible voters but to guarantee effective operationns and protection of voters and electoral officials.
“The number would be increased to 55,000 as against the initial 45,000 personnel and they would immigration, NDLEA, DSS among others and we assure you all that it would be a free fair and transparent.
“The personnel include officers from the Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, NDLEA, DSS, and other sister agencies, with at least three security officers assigned to each polling unit across the state.
“We assure the people of Anambra that the election will be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of intimidation. Our collective aim is to ensure the safety of voters, INEC officials, and all stakeholders involved.
“What we are doing here at the Central Bank of Nigeria is the delivery of the sensitive materials which are BIVAS , forms EC8 A and EC 8 B for the Saturday election.”
