AS Anambra State gears up for tomorrow’s gubernatorial election, a palpable sense of tension and uncertainty pervades the atmosphere, fueled by concerns over a heavy security presence, reports of vote buying, and persistent insecurity that could jeopardise the process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under its new Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, faces significant scrutiny as stakeholders question its ability to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.
Amupitan, who succeeded Prof Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure was marred by logistical failures, BVAS glitches, and delayed result uploads during the 2023 general elections, is under pressure to distinguish himself.
Observers argue that his handling of this poll, his first major national assignment, will be a litmus test of whether INEC has learned from past mistakes or remains mired in old inefficiencies.
Amupitan has vowed to restore public trust through innovation, transparency, and discipline, but analysts caution that his credibility will depend on INEC’s ability to manage logistics effectively, maintain neutrality, coordinate security, and curb vote buying.
The election, which will see sixteen candidates from various political parties vying for the governorship, is expected to involve approximately 2.8 million registered voters across 5,720 polling units.
To ensure safety, no fewer than 60,000 security personnel from the Police, Civil Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force have been deployed statewide.
The Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle, confirmed that 45,000 officers alone would be on duty, supported by tactical units, helicopters, and drones for aerial surveillance.
“The increase in security personnel is not to intimidate eligible voters but to ensure effective operations and safety at every polling unit,” Shogunle explained.
“We want to guarantee voters’ confidence in coming out to cast their ballots without fear. We assure the people of Anambra that the election will be free, fair, transparent, and devoid of intimidation.”
However, the decision to exclude the state-owned Agunechemba security outfit has sparked controversy.
Opposition parties accuse the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of using Agunechemba to intimidate voters and manipulate results in past elections, including reruns for the Anambra South Senatorial and Onitsha State Constituency seats.
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has raised alarms about the militarisation of the electoral process, warning that heavy security deployments could create a “war-like atmosphere” that discourages voter turnout.
In a statement signed by chairman Emeka Umeagbalasi and human rights lawyers Joy Igboeli and Chidimma Udegbunam, the group condemned “threats of fire and brimstone,” noting that such actions often make voting environments hostile, particularly for vulnerable voters. ”
Security forces have often made voting environments hostile for vulnerable voters through militarisation and weaponisation of civic spaces, particularly during so-called ‘shows of force’ involving armoured tanks, explosives, and heavily armed officers chanting war songs,” the statement read.