The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC says arrangements have been concluded for the conduct of Saturdays Governorship election in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the election, Professor Bunmi Omseyindemi stated this while briefing journalists on the state of the preparedness on the election in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
He said; “We have been preparing for the past four years, and this moment is the climax of the entire process. On Thursday, we distributed non-sensitive materials. We went to the Central Bank to collect the sensitive materials, which have now been distributed to the local government areas. This afternoon, we will set up the RAC Centre by 12 o’clock.
“From there, all officers including SPOs, polling officers, presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and RAC technical staff, are expected to be on ground by 6 o’clock.
“So all of them will be there. Then, by 6 o’clock on Saturday morning, officials will move to their various polling units. We plan to have polling units set up by 8 o’clock so that voting can commence by 8:30am, local time.”
Professor Omoseyindemi explained that that in terms of ad hoc staff, the commission is expecting about three per polling unit, putting the total at 2,445. Officers are also expected at the local government level — over 177 — as well as at the state office.
On security, he said: “We are well prepared. We have been having regular meetings with security agencies. We are working through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Security, where strategies are being mapped out to address all critical areas.”
He said efforts were also being intensified to tackle vote buying.
He urged citizens to change their mindset regarding the electoral process, stressing that elections should not be seen as an opportunity to make money.
On logistics, he said arrangements had been properly concluded with transporters, including mapping out the number of vehicles required for each area and deploying motorcycles where necessary.
Professor Omoseyindemi said that aircraft had been used to transport sensitive materials to the state, with full cooperation from all relevant agencies.
He also commended political parties for their conduct during the campaign, while urging all stakeholders to shun vote buying and selling.
“We have warned that anyone who violates the process will be dealt with. So far, we are good to go,” he said.
