Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will not be deterred by reports of insecurity in its efforts towards ensuring the conduct of free,fair and credible elections on Saturday across the state.

This is as an estimated 2.4million voters out of 2.5million registered voters are to expected to cast their votes today(Saturday) to chose the next President of the country and elect their representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives while over 5, 000 people did not collect there Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) in the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the INEC in the state, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu stated this during a press briefing held on Friday at the commission’s headquarters in Awka the state capital.

Dr. disclosed that the general elections would hold across the 21 local government areas, stressing that adequate security arrangements have been made and both sensitive and non sensitive materials have been deployed to the local government areas in readiness for the smooth conduct of the polls.

Agwu pointed out that the exercise would not hold in only six out of 5,723 polling units in the local government areas, 362 wards and three senatorial districts because there were zero registered voters in the affected polling units until subsequent polls they would have registered voters.

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While urgi g the electorate and residents to come out enmasse to cast their votes to elect their right leaders without any fear of intimidation and molestation, she said that the state insecurity in Anambra’ is not as it’s being exaggerated in the social mefia, adding that “election day is the safest day in the country.”

Dr. Agwu tasked politicians, candidates and all stakeholders to exercise restraint as the commission is desirous to help Nigeria and Nigerians the difference they have yearned over the years.

According to Dr. Agwu,  surely the elections will hold in Anambra’ state. The materials we needed are all secured at the local government areas. The non sensitive and sensitive materials are ready, security is ready and depployed to secure the materials and our staff have been trained for the work they are t do.”

“Our BVAS were configured in Abuja contrary to insinuations and they are time bound, we have upgraded the BVAS to the level they are required to accredit voters in seconds and our people will no longer be in the sun for long unlike before, which means that Nigeria is close to where we are going. We have to beeievi in ourselves. People believe in us.”

“Do not seel your conscience; come out and cast your vote without intimidation. We have our men and materials set. I beg people of Anambra’ to know that politics is a game and to appeal to politicians and stakeholders that it’s not a do or die affair. Thuggery is not the best. We have to see things done properly this time.”

“The people are yearning for a difference. Election is not a fight, be your brothers keeper. Youths want a change. Come out with your PVC and don’t allow anybody to deceive you. Cast your vote for a man of your choice. Don’t destroy your vote or void your ballot paper. Take decisions by yourself, you will be protected. Stay out of trouble; come of your house and cast your votes,” Dr. Agwu said.

“We have deployed enough security in all the LGAs to ensure nothing goes wrong. We, Anambra INEC are going to conduct a free, fair and credible elections. We are not going to renege on that. That means whoever you want to elect as representative, all you need is to come out and ensure our votes count. Do not remain in the house.”

On the large quantity of PVCs discovered by hunters in a forest in Nnewi, the REC said the commission was not aware of owners of the cards stressing that all through the years the electoral body had been issuing voters cards to prospective voters.

She added that both INEC and security agencies are seriously sniffing to unearth the real owners of the discovered PVCs, a development according to her showed that something was wrong somewhere.

The commission promised that as soon as it uncovers where those PVCs are from, it would make it public.