Don't play matches or transact business on election day, INEC beg Anambra residents

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, appealed to eligible voters to refrain from playing matches and businesses on forthcoming bye or governorship elections in Anambra State. 

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, who disclosed this at a press conference, reassured residents that both elections would be free, fair and credible, hence the need for them to allow their votes to count.

According to her, the governorship election is on November 8, whereas bye election into Anambra South Senatorial zone and Onistha North 1 House of Assembly constituency holds on August 16, 2025 to fill the vacant positions created following the deaths of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and Hon. Justice Azuka respectively.

"Sacrifice those days for election. Do not use it for playing matches or any kind of sports, drinking or eating. We are for you. Come out and vote. It will be free and fair. There will be security; nothing to fear about. We are already engaging with the relevant stakeholders. We won't tolerate thuggery, vote buying or selling. Come out and vote according to your conscience," she noted.

She urged those who recently clocked 18 years and above, including people that have lost their Permanent Voters Cards, or needed to update their information or transfer voting centres to come out and participate on the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise holding from July 8 to 17, 2025.

She, however, explained that while the new CVR would hold across 326 electoral wards in the State and purposely to enable people vote in the gubernatorial poll, it would not be used for voting in the bye-election just as another one slated to hold on August will be for 2027 general election.

"The CVR is to give everyone a fair hearing for inclusivity. It will start by 9am to 3pm. Please don't say it doesn't concerns you. Stick to the time. Don't pay anyone to register. Walk up to the place and register and go. It won't take your time," she added.

Agwu further explained that training for Ad-hoc staff and other officials to participate on the CVR, bye and governorship elections have commenced in line with the electoral guidelines just as engagements have equally started with key stakeholders.

The REC added that preparation have commenced for the bye elections with training of Ad-hoc staff and INEC staff, noting that NYSC and federal staff would be engaged for the purposes of the election.