The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has conducted mock accreditation of voters using the BVAS machine to test the state’s readiness for the 16 November governorship off-cycle election, being the last for the year 2024.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, after visiting some polling units in selected locations, called on political parties in Ondo State to prioritize the peaceful co-existence of the state’s citizens to ensure a smooth and efficient electoral process, and emphasized that such an environment would be critical to the timely movement of election materials to polling units on election day.
The INEC Chairman made the call during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of his tour of several Local Government Areas in Ondo State. The tour was part of the Commission’s efforts to assess the preparations for the November 16 off-cycle governorship election, including the ongoing mock accreditation exercise.
Professor Yakubu stressed that the peaceful co-existence of all stakeholders, political parties, the electorate, and other community members was a key factor in ensuring the success of the election. He pointed out that a peaceful environment would facilitate the timely distribution of sensitive election materials to designated polling points across the state.
“The success of any election depends not only on the preparedness of the electoral officers but also on the cooperation of all stakeholders. A peaceful atmosphere is essential for the movement of materials and for ensuring that election day proceeds without major disruptions,” Yakubu stated.
The INEC Chairman also highlighted the importance of early resumption of polling units on election day, urging that all necessary measures be taken to ensure that the election process begins promptly and proceeds smoothly without delays.
“In terms of preparations, I am very impressed with the state office and the local governments we have visited. I am very impressed with what they have achieved and I am also impressed with reports I have received in respect of other local governments. So if these two local governments are reporting this level of preparations, I am confident that we have achieved that level of preparations in other local government areas as well. You saw the BVAS machines already charged and configured ready to be deployed. They are going to go with all the sensitive materials and all officials in the riverine areas will be provided with life jackets. The election materials will be wrapped in polythene so that when they fall in water they will float and the officers only need to pick them up”
During the tour, Yakubu commended the efforts of the electoral officers at the Local Government level, praising their level of readiness and commitment to conducting a credible election. He reassured the public that sensitive election materials would be available and dispatched on time to ensure a seamless voting process.
Logistics
In a related development, Professor Yakubu held a meeting with representatives of the Road Transport Workers Union in Ondo State. The meeting focused on strategies to ensure the smooth and timely movement of both election materials and voters on election day. The INEC Chairman acknowledged the crucial role of the transport sector in facilitating the logistics of the election, especially in ensuring that materials reach all polling stations without delay.
“We are engaging with all stakeholders, including the transport unions, to ensure that there is a coordinated effort in getting election materials to the right places on time and that voters are able to cast their ballots without hindrance,” Yakubu explained.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola said the timely transportation of materials and personnel is crucial to the credibility of any election, as such, the commission expects the transporters to be above board in rendering service to the state during the election while the commission will ensure their safety.
“We expect all drivers to stay at the RAC with our ad hoc staff to ensure early deployment to polling units. Please tell your drivers that our transport logistics is crucial hence all men and materials taken to the field must be returned. Also ensure that your vehicles are in good working condition as well as your boats. On our part, we will administer the oath of affirmation of neutrality on your members. We will pay for services procured, we will provide stickers for members’ vehicles and boats so that you can move easily and you can be identified on election day. We will maintain the details of your members for record purposes and we will collaborate with the road safety corps, Nigerian Maritime Association and Safety Agency, Nigerian Water-ways and any other association agreed by parties to undertake prior inspection, documentation, and certification of vehicles and boats to be used for electoral duties to be sure they are in good working condition and meet basic safety standards”.
The INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had commissioned the BIVAS storage centre in Akure, Ondo state Capital and held the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCCES, meeting with all security agencies to workout modalities for a hitch free poll.
As the state prepares for the governorship election, Prof. Yakubu reiterated INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election. He urged all stakeholders to play their part in making the electoral process peaceful and orderly.
The upcoming election in Ondo State is expected to be keenly contested, and the Commission’s proactive measures in addressing logistics, security, and stakeholder collaboration will be crucial to ensuring a smooth and transparent election process.
The National Peace Committee Chaired by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar will host a peace agreement signing ceremony for all political parties and their candidates. They will commit to proper conduct, before, during, and after the election.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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