INEC: Media Crucial to Credible Anambra Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has emphasized the crucial role of the media in ensuring the success and credibility of the upcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Awka, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, INEC’s Deputy Director of Publicity, said the media remains central to promoting transparency and public trust through the dissemination of factual and balanced information.

“The commission appreciates and values the services of the media in ensuring accurate and unbiased information to the public by enabling the people to have factual information on the commission’s electoral expectations,” Ifogah stated.

He warned against the spread of fake news, misinformation, and manipulated content, which he said could “create unnecessary tension and erode public trust” in the electoral process.

Ifogah noted that INEC officials had arrived in Anambra for a week-long readiness assessment, aimed at ensuring a smooth, transparent, and credible election. The program includes meetings with stakeholders such as the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), transport unions, and a mock accreditation exercise slated for Saturday, November 2.

He said the commission had already delivered non-sensitive materials to the state, while sensitive election materials would be brought in later under strict security arrangements.

“INEC is ready and fully committed to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Anambra State,” he affirmed.

The deputy director disclosed that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise would be available for collection from October 22 to October 26, urging registered voters to collect their cards in person at their designated registration centers.

“There is no collection by proxy,” he emphasized.

Ifogah called on journalists, editors, and media organizations to intensify voter education and help combat the spread of harmful or false content that could undermine the election’s integrity.

“The media, as the watchdog of society, must continue to work with INEC to rebuild public confidence in the electoral process,” he said.

He further urged Anambra residents to turn out in large numbers on election day, noting that accreditation and voting would begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m., or until the last voter in the queue had cast their ballot.

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