All set for Assembly poll

By Adekola Afolabi, Jimoh Ahmed & Sade Adewale
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo state said it has successfully distributed both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials to all the 18 local government area offices across the state.

The commission said all was now set for the conduct of free, fair and credible House of Assembly election come Saturday 9, 2019, and urged all eligible voters across the state to troop out and exercise their franchise.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rufus Akeju said the commission is committed to conducting credible and peaceful Assembly poll that would be accepted by all.

According to him, early distribution of election materials would ensure early arrival of materials at the various polling units across the state.

He disclosed that the INEC is fully ready and prepared for peaceful poll and urged the electorate to come out en masse to exercise their franchise in a peaceful manner.

Also, Akeju had, at a press briefing ahead of the Saturday March 9 House of Assembly election, informed that the Commission would hold supplementary election in five local government areas which include, Ese-Odo, Ilaje, Irele, Okitipupa and Odigbo in the Southern Senatorial district of the state to conclude the inconclusive senatorial election held in February 23.

According to him, 19 registration areas/wards comprising 56 Polling Units were affected with a total of 28, 047 registered voters.

 He added that the supplementary election in the Southern Senatorial District would be held alongside the Ondo State House of Assembly election.

He enjoined voters to come and elect their representatives and deepen the democratic governance in the country.

Report from Ikare said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo State has taken delivery of all sensitive materials for Saturday’s House of Assembly election in the state.

When our reporter visited the Akoko Northeast Local Office of the commission along Ikare/Okeagbe road, some of the materials were seen where they are packed.

A source within the office who confirmed this  claimed that he has not been authorised to speak with the press disclosed that party agents of all the political parties contesting the election have earlier visited the place to see the materials and to confirm the delivery.

He also disclosed that the materials would be moved down to the various wards any time from noon today.

Our correspondent also gathered that materials had also arrived Akoko Northwest, Akoko Southwest and Akoko Southeast local government areas of the state.

It was reliably gathered that INEC offices in the three local governments have also taken delivery of all materials, both sensitive and non sensitive in preparation for the Saturday polls.

Reports from Ondo East and West Local Government areas also confirmed that election materials have been delivered to local government INEC offices.