Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has kicked off his readiness assessment tour in Ondo State, ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election.
During his visit to Akure North and South Local Government Area Offices, Professor Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness, assuring that the Commission will ensure the election sets a new standard.
He said: “We very rarely achieve this level of preparation ahead of an election. We’ve inspected kit bags, cross-checked essential materials, and confirmed that everything needed at this stage is in place.”
He outlined a detailed schedule leading up to the election day, emphasizing transparency and accountability in the handling of materials. The inspection of sensitive materials will include stakeholders such as candidates, party agents, observers, the media, and security agencies.
Following the inspection, INEC will begin distributing materials to various local governments, with the farthest locations receiving priority. “We’ll commence movement to the Local Government Areas on Thursday, starting from the farthest and concluding with Akure South,” he added. “Materials will then be distributed to the wards and Registration Area Centers (RACs) on Friday, readying polling units for activation on Saturday morning.”
Reflecting on lessons learned from previous elections, the INEC Chairman acknowledged areas where improvements were needed, particularly in logistics and result management. He said: “Every election is a learning curve for INEC. Two things Nigerians have been asking of INEC—improving logistics for prompt opening of polling units and enhancing result management transparency—have been prioritized. I’ve been assured that you will see remarkable improvements in these processes.”
Prof. Yakubu also addressed the unique logistical challenges of riverine local governments, specifically Ese-Odo and Ilaje. Given the reliance on boats to access certain polling units, he assured voters that INEC has refined its approach from previous elections. “We have learned from past experiences, and sensitive materials will be wrapped in polythene for protection. This way, if there’s an incident on the water, materials will float and can be retrieved,” he said.
On security, the INEC Chairman emphasized the importance of safeguarding both officials and security personnel, particularly in challenging terrains. “In riverine areas, all officials will be equipped with life vests,” he affirmed, underscoring INEC’s commitment to secure elections across Ondo State.
After the readiness assessment tour, the INEC Chairman held a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), Ondo State Chapter, to review security strategies put in place to ensure the election is held in a peaceful and secure environment.
