The Independent National Electoral Commission has reiterated its commitment to conducting a free and fair governorship election in Ondo State on November 16.
This assurance was given by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during his visit to the Commission’s Local Government Area offices in Ondo State on Tuesday.
During the visit, Yakubu inspected several LGA offices and expressed satisfaction with the preparation progress. He confirmed that all non-sensitive materials had already been delivered to the respective offices, with only sensitive materials remaining to be distributed. These materials are expected to arrive next week, after which an inspection will take place involving political parties, candidates, observers, the media, security agencies, and INEC officials, according to Daily Post.
Following the inspection, the election materials will be transported to the local government areas on Thursday and then to the wards on Friday. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines have been fully charged and configured and will be deployed alongside the sensitive materials.
In terms of security, Yakubu assured that life jackets would be provided to all officials traveling to riverine areas in the state.
Measures have also been put in place to ensure that the election materials are safeguarded, including a system to make materials float in the event of an accident. This security protocol will be applied not only in Ondo but also in riverine areas nationwide, prioritizing the safety of both election officials and security personnel.
“In terms of the level of preparation so far, I am really impressed by what the state and local government offices have achieved.
“What remains is the sensitive materials which will arrive on Tuesday next week.
“On Wednesday, there will be inspection of sensitive materials by all parties, candidates, observers, the media, security agencies and officials of the Commission.
“Then on Thursday, we will commence the movement of the materials to LGAs. And then, there will be the same inspection at the LGA levels before we move the materials to the wards on Friday,” he said.
” For those going to riverine areas, We have also devised the means of ramping the materials in case anything happens, the materials will float on the river and we pick them up.
“We place premium on the security of our own officials, either adhoc or regular as well as the security personnel who will accompany the election materials.
“Not only the riverine in Ondo State, but all the riverine area nationwide, all officials will be provided life jackets. This is part of our preparation,” he said.
