The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra says 2.5 million people are expected to vote in the state’s presidential election on Saturday.
Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, the commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), stated this at a news conference on Friday in Awka.
Agwu stated that as of November 2022, approximately 134, 000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had yet to be collected by their owners.
According to her, after the distribution, we had approximately 5,000 fewer people to complete the voting population to 2.5 million.
She stated that the commission had provided sufficient materials, security, and manpower to the state’s 5,720 Polling Units in the 326 electoral wards.
“We have 5,720 Polling Units in Anambra and as I speak with you, we have deployed enough materials, security and manpower in all these areas.
“The people are willing to participate in the election tomorrow and we encourage them to come out en masse,” she said.
The REC said there was a need for the electorate to come out and exercise their franchise.
According to her, the commission is committed towards conducting credible, free and fair elections.
She said that the commission had upgraded the BVAS machines to make it function more effectively.
“Before now, voters use to stand for minutes to be captured by the BVAS, but this time the device will not take seconds to accredit prospective voters because we have upgraded the device,” she said.
Agwu, who encouraged Nigerians to come out in their numbers, said that the best way to cause a positive change in democracy is for the masses to participate fully during elections.
She said that people had been asking since November whether elections would hold in Anambra, and my answer is clear that election would hold in all parts of the state.
“All I advise is that people should not sell their voters because that will deprive the country of good leaders.
“Election is a game and not war, if you lose today, tomorrow you could win, it is not a do or die affair.
“Everybody, especially the youths, should participate effectively to move Nigeria forward,” she said.
Responding to questions on the permanent voter cards discovered in a forest in Nnewi, Agwu said that the matter was being investigated by security operatives and INEC.
“I can categorically say that the PVCs discovered in Nnewi forest did not come from INEC,” she said.(NAN)
