INEC Delivers Non-sensitive Materials to Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States 

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says all non-sensitive election materials for the off-season governorship polls in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States have been delivered to the three states in the required quantity and good quality.

National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee of the INEC, Professor Kunle Ajayi, stated this on Tuesday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, at an interaction with media executives as part of pre-election activities towards the upcoming governorship elections in the three states.

“The production of sensitive materials has been completed, and they are ready for delivery to the three states, as the election commission continues implementation of the pre-election activities in preparedness for the elections.

“As at now, we have implemented 9 (62%) of the 13 pre-election activities. We are now entering the period of submission of names of polling agents by political parties; publication of the official register of voters by the commission; and, the notice of poll.

“The last two activities are closing of campaign by political parties and the climax, which is the election day proper.

“Now we are preparing for governorship elections in the three states. This is an indication that there is no election season any longer in Nigeria,” said Prof. Ajayi.

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Prof. Ajayi advised Nigerian journalists on neutrality in election coverage:

“The implementation of activities on the time table and schedule towards the governorship elections in the states has significantly progressed as the INEC pleads with the media to be factual, objective, and professional in their reportage.

“Journalists covering the elections must on no account interfere with the processes and procedures of voting or in any way distract the attention of poll officials in the performance of their duties.

“The media must on no account attempt to know or report on the way someone has voted.

“The secrecy of the ballot is at the heart of the democratic process. The media must also not make any declaration or return of any election as it is the exclusive preserve of the electoral commission.” 

Provision of Assistive Devices For Persons With Disabilities 

As part of its efforts at improving and easing access for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other marginalized groups to participate in elections, the commission has provided Braille ballot for visually impaired voters, magnifying glass for people with albinism and introduced enlarged posters for voters with hearing impairment.

The commission has gone further to integrate into the voting procedure a process that accords ‘priority voting’ for PWDs, vulnerable people like the elderly, pregnant and nursing mothers.

According to statistics by the INEC, a total of 2,238 Nigerians with different forms of disabilities in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States are expected to vote in the upcoming governorship elections.

The INEC statistics show that Kogi State has a total of 800 registered PWD voters; Bayelsa, 517 PWD voters while Imo State has a total of 921 PWD voters.