We’re fully prepared for Ondo election – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared its readiness to behaviour a free, fair, and credible predetermination successful the adjacent Saturday’s Ondo State governorship election.

INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ gathering with each 17 governorship candidates.

He said that the committee volition deploy BVAS machines for elector accreditation astatine polling units and for uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing, IReV, portal.

Yakubu besides warned unit that determination would beryllium consequences for immoderate dereliction of duty.

He outlined INEC’s extended preparations, including elector registration, PVC collection, and information connected collected and uncollected PVCs for each of Ondo’s 3,933 polling units. The committee besides provided elaborate accusation connected the state’s 2,053,061 registered voters, including demographic details.

“The committee has accredited 111 home and planetary organizations deploying 3,554 observers for the election,” helium noted.

He further stated that implicit 100 media organizations, with 700 personnel—including 129 pistillate journalists—were accredited, marking the largest media beingness for immoderate off-cycle governorship predetermination successful Nigeria.

Accreditation cards for stakeholders, predetermination work conveyance stickers, and logistical arrangements, including onshore and maritime proscription of materials, are besides successful place. Sensitive materials are expected to get by Tuesday adjacent week, with inspection planned astatine the Central Bank successful Akure.

The candidates pledged that their supporters would enactment successful an orderly mode passim the predetermination period. They besides appealed to INEC and the constabulary to stay impartial.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun announced a deployment of 22,239 officers, supplemented by further unit from sister agencies, to guarantee information during the election. Speaking done AIG Zone 17, Abiodun Asabi, helium urged stakeholders to debar violence, thuggery, and follow a sportsmanlike attitude.

He reassured the nationalist that information agencies are committed to providing a peaceful and conducive situation before, during, and aft the election, gathering connected the occurrence of the Edo election.