Anambra Guber: We Have Recovered From Attacks, Ready For Polls – INEC

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof, Mahmood Yakubu on Wednesday, confirmed to the Senate, the body’s readiness to conduct governorship polls in Anambra.

His invitation to appear before the Senate Committee on INEC came amid heightening insecurity and threats of election boycott in Anambra State.

Yakubu revealed that INEC required 14 activities preparatory to the election, out of which 12 have been concluded.

He said INEC had recovered from attacks on its facility in the zone, adding that ad-hoc staff have been adequately trained with sensitive materials already deployed.

He said: “We required 14 activities to conduct Anambra Governorship Election successfully and we have accomplished 12 out 14 as well as we have recovered from attacks on our facility in the South East and we are good to go.”

The disclosure was in response to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Kabir Gaya, who expressed concern over the security challenges in Anambra State ahead of the November 6 governorship election.

Gaya bemoaned attacks in Anambra at a sensitive time when the State would be going to the poll to elect a governor.

He said: “The situation in Anambra is quite unfortunate especially at a time when we are approaching the gubernatorial elections in the State, election as you are aware, is a recruitment process of the leadership as well as the foundation that carries the builders of change and development.

“Recently, INEC increased the polling units in Anambra State from 4,608 to 5, 720, this effort is to allow a situation where polling units will be accessible to the electorates, this can only be achieved when and where the safety of people is assured”, Gaya maintained.