Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned its officials, ad-hoc and regular staff, to be professional, apolitical and non-partisan in discharging their duties assigned to them during the forthcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Yakubu gave the warning in Akure during a Stakeholders’ Meeting with political party officials, traditional rulers, election observers and other officials.
The Chairman, who said “that Voter’s Education and Sensitization are currently going on, explained that the Commission had made arrangements for personnel and materials in all 3,009 Polling Units and 203 Electoral Ward’s across the State.
“We warn our officials, ad-hoc and regular staff to be professional and non-partisan in the discharge of their duties assigned to them during the 10 October State governorship 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 cast 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 in our processes and procedures.
“Let me reiterate that the Commission will not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.
“All eligible voters will be given equal opportunity to exercise their right to vote in order to ensure greater awareness and effective participation.
Yakubu,, continued saying that the Commission had reviewed its performance at the last gubernatorial election in Edo State, and that it is determined to continue to improve on its performance.
According to him, “we have identified 16 areas we will improve upon, including logistics, prompt response to issues of faulty card readers, vote-buying and other vices”.
Packaged By Emmanuel Adeniran
