INEC to allow candidates, media, others inspect Ondo election materials

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that before the commencement of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, political parties, media, observers, and security agencies will inspect sensitive materials before distribution.

Disclosing this while on a visit to the council offices of the electoral body in the state, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, reiterated the readiness of the commission ahead of the poll.

According to Yakubu, the sensitive materials for the poll will arrive in the state next week on Tuesday, adding that the inspection of the materials by major stakeholders will commence on Wednesday before it will be moved to the local councils on Thursday.

He said: “With 10 days to the election, the level of preparedness is very impressive. Very rarely will you find the commission this prepared before the election. That is why I’ve been going around LG to see if they have everything they are supposed to have at this point.

“The only thing remaining is the sensitive materials, which will arrive on Tuesday next week. On Wednesday, there will be inspection of the sensitive materials by all parties, candidates, observers, security agencies, media houses, and personnel in the commission, among others.

“On Thursday we will commence the movement of the materials to LGAs, beginning with the farest to the nearest. There will be the same inspection in the local government before we move it to the RAC centre, and on Saturday morning, the election will commence.”

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Visiting the Akure North Local Government electoral office in Iju Ita-Ogbolu, the Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Dije Mustapha, explained that they are 85% prepared for the election.

She stated that “We are very prepared. We are like 85% ready; the only thing we are waiting for is the sensitive materials.”

Also speaking, her counterpart, the Electoral Commissioner of Akure South, Ezekiel Oyediran, also acknowledged that they have received almost all the required non-sensitive materials for the election and have been batched into registration areas and polling units.

“Currently, we have received almost all the required non-sensitive materials for the election, and they have been batched into registration areas and polling units. In conclusion, we are fully ready to conduct a free, fair, credible, inclusive, and conclusive election in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election.”

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