Ondo election: INEC distributes sensitive materials 48 hours to poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to the 18 local council areas of Ondo State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The distribution was done on the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Akure office, under the watch of representatives of political parties, security personnel, observers, and the media.

Several vehicles and commercial buses hired by the Commission were seen lined up along the road, in turn, to convey the materials to the designated council areas.

While assuring that possible logistics challenges had been identified, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed that the materials were distributed early to smooth the exercise.

She said, “The distribution exercise is going on very smoothly. The farthest local government has started moving to their local governments.

“The vehicles are already moving; Ilaje has left, Ese-Odo has left, and Okitipupa and Irele will soon leave. We are on course, and we are doing simultaneous movement.

“We have difficult terrains in the state, both on land and on water. The difficult terrain on the water is in Ilaje and Ese-Odo, and we have identified those areas, we are going to have boats that will transport men and materials.

“We also have the support of the navy. They are giving us gunboats to secure the movement. For the land where we have difficult terrain, we will move out to the place where vehicles can reach, and we continue the rest with suitable means of transportation.”

While commending INEC on the distribution process, the Chairman of the (IPAC), Adesanya Olaoluwa, said, “The distribution process has been very satisfactory. With what we have seen here at the CBN during the distribution of sensitive INEC materials.

“We have 18 local governments in Ondo State, and some are in riverine areas, and they are very far from here, so there is a need for early distribution.”