INEC Begins Distribution of Sensitive Materials Ahead of Ondo South Bye-Election

(INEC. Photo by PM News Nigeria)

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials ahead of the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

The exercise, supervised by electoral officials, security agencies, and representatives of political parties, involved the deployment of ballot papers, result sheets, and other sensitive materials to designated locations ahead of the poll.

It would be recalled that the bye-election was called to fill the vacant seat left by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, following his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during the distribution exercise held at the Central Bank of Nigeria premises, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, said all logistics arrangements for the smooth conduct of the election had been finalised.

He explained that non-sensitive materials had earlier been distributed, while sensitive materials were now being deployed in the presence of party agents and security personnel.

He further disclosed that the commission had tested and certified all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices designated for the election, with backup machines also on standby to address any technical challenges that may arise.

According to Agboke, a total of 673,446 registered voters are expected to participate in the election across 1,354 polling units and 66 registration areas spanning Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo, and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo local government areas.

He noted that only four political parties would be contesting the seat: the All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples’ Movement, Action Peoples Party, and Boot Party.

The REC urged stakeholders to uphold transparency and ensure a peaceful process during and after the election, stressing that nothing should determine the outcome of any election in Ondo State other than the votes cast by the people.

He explained that transparency was not solely INEC’s responsibility, urging political parties to also commit to fair conduct, noting that offering money to influence votes, inciting violence, or harassing electoral staff would all amount to undermining transparency.

He assured that INEC’s staff had been adequately trained to operate according to established best practices and would work to ensure that every vote counts.

The state Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Alex Adeniyi, expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct a smooth and transparent election, commending the commission under Agboke for demonstrating readiness to ensure that votes are properly counted.

Meanwhile, representatives of the political parties urged INEC to ensure the early arrival of election materials at polling locations.

Felix Oloro, state Chairman of the APM, and Olaoluwa Adesanya, representative of the APP, both affirmed their parties’ readiness for Saturday’s bye-election.