Moment before keenly anticipated Anambra State governorship election, ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have begun arriving at the Community Primary School in Amawbia, one of the designated Registration Area Centres (RACs) in Awka South local government area of the State, on Saturday.
The early arrival of the officials signalled the commencement of final deployment of logistics by INEC, as materials and personnel moved into position for the polls scheduled to open at 8.30am
INEC officials at the centre were seen organising election materials and coordinating with security agencies in preparation for onward movement to various polling units in the area. Security personnel, including police officers and civil defence corps members, were also sighted around the premises to ensure safety and order.
LEADERSHIP reports that Anambra State is holding an off-cycle governorship election with 16 candidates cleared by INEC to contest. Voting will take place in approximately 5,718 polling units across the state, with an estimated 2.8 million registered voters expected to participate.
Among the top contenders in the race are Governor Charles Soludo of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jude Ezenwa for of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP).
Recall that INEC had earlier confirmed that the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials was completed across all 21 local government areas of the state, with assurances that logistics challenges encountered in past elections had been addressed.
As of Friday evening, similar reports of ad hoc staff arrivals have been recorded in other parts of the state, including Onitsha North, Aguata, and Nnewi South.
