As the November 8, 2025 Anambra state governorahip election, and the August 16th Anambra South senatorial by-election and Onitsha North 2 state constituency by-election draw closer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has issued guidelines in preparation for the upcoming elections.
In a press conference at the commission’s state headquarters in Awka, on Thursday, July 4, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. (Mrs) Queen Elizabeth Agwu, held that Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) will commence on Tuesday, July 8 through Thursday, July 17, 2025.
The REC urged all those that have attained voting age to avail themselves of the opportunity to register. She said that the exercise is open for those, who have attained voting age but have not registered; those who lost or have their PVCs damaged and those who want to transfer their PVCs.
According to her, the exercise will take place simultaneously in all the 326 political wards in Anambra, between 9am and 3pm everyday, excluding Mondays. She warned that any registration done outside the stipulated time (9am-3pm) cannot be captured.
Dr. Agwu said that the present CVR exercise is for the November 8 governorship election only, and insisted that those who register for their PVCs between July 8 and July 17 cannot use them for the August 16, 2025 by-elections in Anambra South senatorial district and Onitsha North 2 state constituency, as the commission will use the previous register for the by-elections.
The REC, who was flanked by heads of different departments in the commission, informed also that training for adhoc staff will be conducted between Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5; adding that by-elections for Anambra South senatorial district and Onitsha North 2 state constituency will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2025. She urged political parties participating in the by-elections to conduct their primaries and upload details of their standard bearers, accordingly.
While informing that sensitive and non sensitive materials for the coming elections in Anambra, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) are ready, the REC further notified that after the by-elections on August 16, another Continous Voter Registration will start on August 17. She noted that the registration that will start from August 17 is specifically for the 2027 general election; not for November 8 governorship election in Anambra.
Also on the November 8 governorship election in Anambra, the REC said that notice for the election was given by the commission on 13th November, 2024, according to the electoral law; adding that sensitization meetings have also been organized by the commission for political stakeholders.
According to her, final particulars of candidates of 16 political parties participating in the governorahip election have been published in local government areas and at the state headquarters of the commission in Awka since 9th June, 2025; and asked the general public to verify details of candidates and report discrepancies, if any.
She noted that the electoral umpire recorded very impressive and commendable outing during the Ondo state governorahip election, and assured that Anambra governorahip election will be better because of improvements in the INEC BVAS.
“INEC has signed memorandum of understanding with transport unions to provide transportation services for us on the election days. We also held meetings with traditional rulers in the state, because they have vital roles to play,” she added, while assuring that proper security services will be provided for both men and materials during the elections.”
