As political parties and their candidates intensify campaign for the November 8 governorship election in Anambra state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of voters, confirming that the candidates will battle for a total of 2,802,790 votes in the race for the government house in Awka.

INEC in a statement issued Thursday, said 146,353 new voters have been added to the Anambra State register ahead of the election, following the conclusion of its extended Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

According to a statement issued by the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the additions followed the recently concluded voter registration exercise held across the 326 wards of the state from July 8 to 20, 2025.

The statement noted that during the exercise, 168,187 citizens registered as new voters. However, after the mandatory one-week public display for claims and objections, as well as further checks using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), 27,817 cases of double or multiple registrations were identified and struck out.

“This leaves the Commission with 140,370 valid new registrants, in addition to 5,983 valid applications for voter transfer into the state, bringing the total number of new voters to 146,353,” Olumekun stated.

Before the exercise, Anambra had 2,656,437 registered voters. With the addition of the newly validated names, the state’s voter roll has now risen to 2,802,790.

The Commission also highlighted the Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the highest and lowest new voter figures. Idemili North tops the chart with 246,318 registered voters (8.79%), followed by Awka South with 216,611 (7.73%) and Ogbaru with 188,016 (6.71%). On the other hand, Dunukofia and Anambra West recorded the lowest totals with 83,580 (2.98%) and 71,332 (2.55%) respectively.

INEC assured that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for all valid new registrants, as well as for those who applied for transfers and replacements, will be ready for collection well before the election.

The Commission urged voters to ensure they pick up their PVCs, stressing that participation in the electoral process remains a civic duty.

“With just 63 days to the Anambra governorship poll, every new voter added to the register represents a strengthened voice in shaping the leadership and future of the state,” the statement emphasized.