The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed sensitive materials ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.
The distribution began about 1:25am yesterday at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ekiti branch, under the supervision of the security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
INEC officials, election observers and representatives of the political parties monitored the exercise as electoral materials were sorted and dispatched to the 16 council areas of the state ahead of the election.
The commission started the distribution with the farthest local government areas from the state capital, including Ilejemeje, Ayekire, Ido-Osi, Ijero, Ikole, Ekiti East and Emure. Police personnel were attached to the buses conveying the sensitive materials to the various local governments to ensure adequate security and prevent any form of interference during transportation.
Addressing reporters shortly after commencement of the exercise, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, assured residents of its readiness to conduct a credible, free and fair poll.
Omoseyindemi stated that the distribution of sensitive materials marked another critical stage in the commission’s preparations for the poll.
“As you can see, we have commenced the distribution of sensitive materials for Saturday’s governorship election. The process is being carried out in a transparent manner in the presence of security agencies, political parties, election observers, media and other stakeholders. We started with local government areas that are farthest from Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital to ensure that the materials get to their destinations on time and without any hitch,” he said.
The REC expressed confidence in the commission’s preparedness, stating that all necessary arrangements had been put in place for a successful election across the state.
He assured Ekiti voters that the Commission remained committed to delivering a credible exercise that would reflect the wishes of the electorate, urging residents to come out peacefully and perform their civic responsibility on election day.
Omoseyindemi also commended the security agencies for their collaboration and support, saying their presence would help guarantee the safe movement of election materials and the overall integrity of the electoral process.