The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State on Monday met with stakeholders ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state, promising free, fair, and credible polls.
The commission disclosed this at the Election Stakeholders’ Meeting held at its state headquarters’ office located at Agodi, Ibadan,
The Election Stakeholders Forum Meeting had in attendance all the security chiefs in the state, representatives of political parties, and INEC staff, among others.
In his address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, maintained that the continuous engagement with the stakeholders has made the people to understand that none of the electoral exercise was done in secrecy and this has yielded a positive result.
While reiterating the readiness of the commission to conduct a peaceful poll on Saturday, Agboke posited that sensitive election materials are already with the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Ibadan Branch, stressing that the ballot papers and the result sheets will be distributed on Wednesday to the 33 local government Areas of the state, and the Smart Card Readers have been configured and ready to be dispatched to LGAs alongside other sensitive materials.
“The commission has resolved to beef-up security in all areas especially those units that have been identified as potential red zones during the last election because of the peculiar nature of the coming gubernatorial and State House of Assembly polls due to the fact that the contestants are closer to the grassroot”.
He, however, urged the stakeholders to sensitise the electorate to shun voter apathy and participate in the coming gubernatorial election, noting that the commission is unhappy with over 40% participation in the last election in the state.
“The commission is doing everything within its constitutional mandate to provide a level playing ground for all in order to achieve a peaceful and successful exercise”, Agboke declared.
Packaged by Ojo Peter
