Assembly Poll: Parties express readiness
By Bukola olamona
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Ahead of the Saturday’s general elections, political parties in Ondo state have said that all arrangements have been concluded for their candidates to emerge winners.
They however called on the security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to replicate the same feat recorded in the last election in curbing vote-buying.
Recall that the State Police Commissioner, Mr.Oyeyemi Oyediran affirmed that over 7000 security personnel deployed in the last election would be redeployed to provide security for electoral officers and voters during Saturday March 11 general election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State had said the election would take place in 3,923 polling units in the state.
The Acting Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State said a total of 17,562 ad-hoc personnel deployed to 3,923 polling units across the state in the last presidential and National Assembly would also be deployed to conduct the House of Assembly election in the state.
Though, Saturday’s polls comprise governorship and State House of Assembly election only the latter will be held in Ondo State slated for March 11, 2023 across the country.
Eighteen political parties will be participating in the election.
The parties that spoke with The Hope in separate interviews include: the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The State Director, Media and Publicity of the APC, Mr.Steve Otaloro, said the preparation by the party for the last presidential and National Assembly elections to emerge victorious will be repeated to sweep all the 26 seats of the State House of Assembly.
He called on security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to rise up to their responsibility to arrest whoever buys votes during the polls.
The PDP on its part said the party is ready for the election as it will be different from that of the presidential election being a local election that has direct effect on people.
The Director, Media and Publicity of the party, Mr Leye Igbabo said the election involves indigenous sons and daughters, noting that sentiment and tribalism should not be allowed to set in.
On his part, the State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Dele Thomas, disclosed that preparations are ongoing to encourage the party’s candidates notwithstanding the issue of faction within the SDP.
He was optimistic that all the candidates on the platform of the party will perform fairly well in the polls.
Also, the State Chairman NNPP, Mr Peter Olagookun said the party has prepared to win many State House of Assembly seats in the election.
He said the party’s candidates have been going from house -to-house to disclose their manifestos to electorate.
Olagookun applauded the Federal Government for the naira swap policy ,which he said has helped in reducing vote- buying.