The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the Anambra State governorship election will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this at the fourth regular consultative meeting with political parties at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Yakubu said: “As we prepare for the Ondo State governorship election, we are always mindful of our responsibilities for elections and electoral activities. For instance, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 requires the commission to issue the notice for elections not later than 360 days before the date of the election.

“This applies to the General as well as off-cycle governorship elections. As you are aware, the last governorship election in Anambra State was held on 6th November 2021. By the effluxion of time, the governorship election is due next year.

“Consequently, the commission has approved that the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election will hold on Saturday 8th November 2025.

“In compliance with the mandatory requirement of 360 days, the formal notice for the election will be published on 13th November 2024. Party primaries will be held from 20th March 2025 to 10th April 2025.

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“The candidate nomination portal will open at 9:00 a.m. on 18th April 2025 and close at 6:00 p.m. on 12th May 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June 2025.

“Campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th June 2025 and end at midnight of Thursday 6th November 2025. Voting will take place in all the 5,720 Polling Units across the State on Saturday 8th November 2025.”

The INEC boss further stated that the electoral umpire will in the coming weeks provide details of other electoral activities, including the registration of new voters, transfer of voters, and the replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

He said the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the Anambra State governorship election will be uploaded to INEC’s website and social media platforms before the end of today’s (Thursday) meeting.

Yakubu said the hard copies will also be made available to political parties.

The INEC chairman added: “I urge political parties to use the INEC timetable to come up with your own timetable and schedule of activities to enable us to work together and plan better for the deployment of personnel and resources for the monitoring of your party primaries and campaign activities.

“By doing so, you will avoid the last-minute rush with the attendant inability to meet deadlines.”

The Star