By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that it is ready for this Saturday’s Ondo governorship election.
This is just as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monday delivered sensitive materials to its Akure branch for onward distribution to 18 Local Government Areas of Ondo State.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who disclosed this at the Ondo governorship election stakeholders meeting in Akure said the Commission has delivered non-sensitive materials to all the 18 Local Government Areas of Ondo State.
According to him, INEC moved Smart Card Readers from Oyo State and configured them for the election, in replacement of the Card Readers that were burnt in a recent fire incident that engulfed INEC Office in Ondo.
He assured that the Commission has made arrangements for the movement of personnel and materials to electoral locations in all 3,009 polling units and 203 electoral wards across the Stat.
Yakubu noted that INEC has recruited, trained and screened all categories of ad hoc staff for the election.
His words: “We have continued to work with security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure a hitch-free and secure election on 10th October.
“I wish to specifically thank all the agencies in ICCES, especially the lead agency, the Nigeria Police, for their continued support and professionalism as we prepare for the election.
“Our commitment is to ensure that the choice of who becomes the next Governor of Ondo State is entirely in the hands of the voters. I wish to assure all eligible voters that every vote will count and only the choice made by the people of Ondo State will determine the outcome of the election.
“I want to assure political parties and candidates that we will remain focused on our processes and procedures. Let me reiterate to all stakeholders that the Commission will not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate”, he added