By Jubril Bada

Three days to the bye-election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission has distributed the sensitive materials for the election.

The bye-election in Akoko North East / Akoko North West federal constituency in the state will be held on Saturday with eight political parties participating in the exercise.

The parties include: African Democratic Congress (ADC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action People’s Party (APP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) , Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The federal constituency seat became vacant as a result of the resignation of Mr. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo who was appointed as a Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinúbu.

Sensitive materials distributed in the presence of security agencies and representatives of political parties are; ballot papers, result sheets and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ,while the non-sensitive materials had earlier been distributed to the two local governments.

Speaking, the National Commissioner of the INEC supervising Ondo, Osun and Ogun States for the bye-election, Prof.Kunle Ajayi, said the distribution exercise was done to demonstrate the Commission’s transparency to political parties

According to him, the political parties were invited to witness the distribution of the sensitive materials if they were correct and intact, adding that there was no party left out in the exercise.

The National Commissioner who keenly observed the distribution of the materials said they will be appropriately moved to the two local governments where the election will take place.

While calling on the political parties participating in the election to continue relying on the electoral body, he explained that INEC will not be partial in the election as the poll is more complex and focused on than the general elections.

“Our personnel to conduct the election have been warned not to be involved in any incriminating act during the election as anyone caught will face the wrath of law,” he warned

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the INEC, Mrs.Oluwatoyin Babalola, pointed out that riot act has been read to all staff conducting the election on the punishment for whoever violating the electoral law.

She assured the political parties of free and fair exercise.

The State Administrative Secretary of the commission, Mr. Biodun Onikate-Amosu said all the sensitive materials will be moved to the two councils by Thursday (tomorrow).