Anambra 2025: INEC to test upgraded BVAS, announces PVC collection

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to test its upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and commence the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2025 Anambra State governorship election.

In a statement signed by Victoria Eta-Messi, director of Voter Education and Publicity, the Commission said it will conduct a mock accreditation exercise to test the upgraded BVAS, adding that PVC collection for voters who registered during the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will hold from Wednesday, 22nd to Sunday, October 26, 2025.

INEC advised all eligible voters who participated in the CVR to visit the Registration Areas where they initially registered to collect their PVCs within the stipulated period. It emphasised that PVC collection will be strictly in person, as collection by proxy will not be allowed under any circumstances.

The Commission noted that the exercise is crucial for voters who intend to participate in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, urging all registered voters to make use of the opportunity to collect their cards.

As part of its preparations, INEC said it will also conduct a Mock Accreditation Exercise on Saturday, 25th October 2025 in selected polling units across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The exercise, according to the Commission, will test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), assess its response time, and evaluate the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal ahead of the main election.

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The mock accreditation will take place in selected polling units located in Awka south, Idemili north, Oyi, Anambra east, Aguata, and Orumba north local government areas.

INEC encouraged voters in the selected polling units to participate actively in the exercise, noting that their involvement will assist the Commission in fine-tuning its operational and technological processes before the election.

Reiterating its commitment to operational efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder confidence, the Commission assured that all necessary measures are being put in place to ensure a smooth and credible governorship election in Anambra State.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.