Showdown in Anambra: 2.7 Million Voters Pick Next Governor Saturday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that out of a total of 2,802,790 registered voters in Anambra State, 2,769,137 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing an impressive 98.8 percent collection rate.

INEC also reaffirmed its preparedness and commitment to conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful governorship election on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

In a statement issued by the Commission’s Media Team, INEC described the figures as a “compelling story of readiness and resolve” ahead of the poll.

“From the bustling streets of Onitsha to the farmlands of Ayamelum, Anambra’s voters appear poised to make their voices heard, armed with their PVCs collected at record rates across the state,” the statement read.

According to INEC, the feat is not only remarkable in its scale but also in its depth of reach at the Registration Area (RA) level, where the Commission’s decision to decentralize PVC collection “paid off handsomely.”

“Across the state’s 326 Registration Areas, community after community reported near-total collection, turning what was once a logistical challenge into a civic triumph,” the Commission stated.

INEC further noted that in rural and riverine communities that had previously struggled with accessibility, citizens turned out in large numbers to claim their cards.

The Commission highlighted that in Ugbene (Awka North), Alor I, Bridge Head II, Ogbunike I and II, and Umunya I and II, every single registered voter collected their PVCs — a perfect 100 percent success rate.

Even in difficult terrains such as Omor II (Ayamelum) and Amaokpala/Omogho (Orumba North) , areas that had faced logistical challenges in past elections the Commission recorded PVC collection rates above 99 percent.

“These figures are not just statistics; they are proof of a system that finally reached the grassroots, and of citizens who answered democracy’s call with unmatched commitment,” the statement added.

In Awka South, the state capital, 214,841 PVCs were collected out of 216,611 registered voters, representing 99.18 percent.
In Nnewi North, known for its strong civic culture, 165,394 out of 166,400 voters collected their cards — an impressive 99.40 percent.
In Ayamelum, 96,334 out of 96,947 voters collected their PVCs, while Anambra West recorded 70,618 out of 71,332 — both exceeding 99 percent, despite their challenging riverine geography.

Minor gaps appeared in densely populated areas such as Onitsha South and Idemili North, where large voter numbers naturally translated into higher absolute figures. Yet, their collection rates still exceeded 98 percent.

Even the few areas with relatively lower collection rates — such as Ekwulobia I (95.3%) and Ogbolo in Ihiala (95.4%) — represent significant improvement compared to previous election cycles.

Overall, the statewide average of nearly 99 percent indicates that, for the first time in many election cycles, almost every eligible voter in Anambra is ready to participate. Only 33,653 PVCs remain uncollected, a negligible figure that underscores the success of INEC’s strategy.

The Commission attributed this success to its decision to decentralize PVC collection, moving it from local government headquarters to Registration Areas. This, INEC said, dismantled long-standing barriers of distance and cost that had discouraged rural voters, ensuring no community was left behind.

INEC also credited the extension of the collection period, from October 29 to November 2, 2025, as a decisive move.

“That single decision proved to be the masterstroke,” “Before the extension, readiness assessments showed only about 63 percent collection. The five extra days turned the tide, drawing long but orderly queues across Registration Areas — especially during the final 48 hours.”the statement noted.

By the end of the extension, the Commission said, Anambra had “exceeded expectations,” reaching the current 98.8 percent collection rate.

INEC emphasized that the achievement represents more than administrative efficiency , it marks a renewed public faith in the electoral process and a Commission that listened, adjusted, and delivered where it mattered most.

With PVCs now in voters’ hands, attention shifts to election day itself. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), has urged eligible voters to turn out en masse, assuring them of adequate security and smooth logistics for the exercise.

Security agencies, the Commission added, have pledged neutrality and professionalism, while all electoral materials have been fully deployed across the state.

“The numbers at the RA level tell a quiet but powerful story — that democracy in Anambra is alive, participatory, and maturing,” the statement concluded. “The enthusiasm reflected in the data is not just a show of readiness but a statement of faith in the electoral process.As polling units open tomorrow, the people of Anambra stand on the verge of another milestone in their political history, with their PVCs as both symbol and tool of their power. The cards have been collected, the arrangements have been made, and the moment of choice has arrived. The power now rests firmly with the people.”it added.