By Charles Pemu 
AWKA — With the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025, rapidly approaching, a high-powered delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters arrived in Awka yesterday afternoon to conduct a comprehensive readiness assessment.
The four-member delegation is led by the National Commissioner in charge of Election Planning and Monitoring, Professor Rhoda Gumus. She is joined by National Commissioner and IVEC Chairman Mr. Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner Supervising Anambra State Dr. Kenneth Ukeagu, and National Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Operations and Logistics Committee Dr. Baba Bila. Upon arrival, the team met with the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, before commencing the exercise at the INEC State Headquarters.
The visit forms part of INEC’s dedication to ensuring a credible, inclusive, and well-organized election. The team conducted a field assessment across two senatorial districts, visiting Registration Areas in Dunukofia Local Government Area (LGA) in Anambra Central and Oyi LGA in Anambra North. During the inspections, the team specifically examined the batching of non-sensitive election materials, affirming the commission’s level of readiness as “both practical and measurable.”
The delegation also monitored the ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection process at Registration Areas in Ukpo 1 & 2 (Dunukofia LGA) and Iteje 4 & 5 (Oyi LGA). They assessed the distribution process and interacted with both voters and staff. The Commission urged voters to remain patient and orderly, assuring them that all eligible citizens would be attended to, noting that the PVC collection had just begun.
The readiness visit is set to continue over the coming days, involving engagements with key stakeholders such as the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and transport unions. The team will also supervise a mock accreditation exercise before conducting a final comprehensive review of all preparations ahead of their departure. INEC reaffirmed its dedication to conducting a transparent and peaceful governorship election in Anambra State.