The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties contesting the 2025 Anambra State governorship election to adhere strictly to their scheduled timelines for primary elections, warning that abrupt changes could disrupt the electoral process and increase costs.  

This was contained in a statement released on Thursday, by the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun. The statement followed INEC’s weekly review meeting, which focused on preparations for the off-cycle Anambra governorship election slated for Saturday, November 8, 2025.  

According to INEC, the timetable and schedule of activities for the election stipulate that political parties must conduct their primaries between March 20 and April 10, 2025. However, while 12 out of the 19 registered political parties have submitted their detailed primary election schedules, seven parties have yet to comply.  

INEC stressed that frequent and unplanned changes to primary schedules, including date, venue, and mode of the election, create logistical challenges for the commission.  Such disruptions result in unnecessary demobilization and remobilization of election monitoring staff, affecting overall electoral workflow and increasing operational costs. 

It advised Political parties to strictly follow their submitted schedules to ensure smooth coordination and compliance with electoral laws. INEC reiterated its commitment to fair and transparent elections and emphasized that adherence to procedures would enhance credibility and efficiency in the electoral process.