By Charles Kumolu

Voters

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said that 2.158171 million registered voters would take part in the election out of which 50.3 per cent are females while 49.6 percent are males.

Students are the highest number of registered voters constituting 48 percent, while Idemili North Local Government Area has the highest number of registered voters.

Anambra: figures

Polling stations and wards

Election will hold in 532 polling booths while four staff would superintend each of the booths

Observer groups

At least 44 observer groups, comprising 38 domestic and six international teams are to monitor the election.

The groups are the British High Commission, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), American Embassy Abuja, European Union, High Commission of Canada, and African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council.

Among the domestic observer groups include African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development; Centre for Credible Leadership; Citizens Awareness; and the Initiative for Promotion of Civic Obligation Sustainable.

Police:

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim on November 3, 2017  announced the deployment of 21,000 personnel for the election.

The Police subsequently announced that it would deploy additional 26, 000 personnel for the poll.

A  Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operation would handle security arrangements before and during the exercise.

The personnel comprised police special forces, Police Mobile Force ( PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit ( CTU) and Special Protection Unit ( SPU).

Others are Anti Bomb Squad, Marine Police, Force Armament Unit, FCIID, Mounted Troops, Dogs Section, Police Gun Boats and the Armoured Personnel Carriers ( APC)

Civil Defence

Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in Anambra State, Mr. John Ahwen   said the Corps would deploy about 11,000 officers.

30 sniffer dogs would guard the polling booths at the 21 local government areas with two officers in each of the 532 polling booths.

A Deputy Commandant General of the Corps Mr Hillary Madu will coordinate the officers posted from the entire command of the corps in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Edo and Benue with over 115 vehicles,   15 boats, drones and ambulances at their disposal.

INEC officials/ad hoc staff

The commission has deployed  23, 000 ad hoc staff  while it also deployed over 6, 000 card reader machines to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise.

Parties: 37 political parties would be participating in the election.

The parties include, Alliance Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), African Democratic Congress (ADC),

Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA),

African People’s Party (APP), Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP),Democratic Alternative (DA),

Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC),Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), Hope Democratic Party (HDP)

Kowa Party, Labour Party (LP), Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN),Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP),National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP),United Democratic Party (UDP),National Conscience Party (NCP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC),National Unity Party (NUP),People for Democratic Change (PDC),Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA),Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN),Peoples Redemption Party (PRP),

Social Democratic Party (SDP),United Progressive Party (UPP),Young Democratic Party (YDP)Young Progressive Party (YPP).