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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, arrived in Benin City, Edo State, on Monday, September 9, 2024, to oversee critical preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
His visit includes a series of key events, starting with mock accreditation exercises in three locations, assessments of the readiness of INEC’s local government offices, and meetings with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
Additionally, he will engage with various stakeholders, INEC staff, and local political parties to ensure smooth election proceedings.
Announcing Yakubu’s arrival, the Edo State INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Timidi Wariowei, outlined the chairman’s itinerary.
On Tuesday, Yakubu will visit the local government offices in Ikpoba Okha, Egor, Oredo, and Ovia North East to assess election preparedness. Mock accreditation is scheduled to take place at Western Boys High School and Idia College in Benin City.
On Wednesday, the chairman will hold a stakeholder engagement session and visit the Oba of Benin’s palace as part of his consultations with local authorities.
Thursday will see the signing of a peace accord by all political parties to ensure a peaceful election, followed by Yakubu’s meeting with INEC staff to review final preparations.
Wariowei emphasized that security and readiness are top priorities, and the meetings between security agencies and INEC are focused on ensuring safe and smooth conduct of the elections.
During his visit on Tuesday to the INEC offices in four local government areas, Yakubu inspected non-sensitive election materials to confirm their readiness.
He expressed satisfaction with the preparations after being briefed by local Electoral Officers in Ikpoba Okha and Egor LGAs.
Further inspections will continue, and mock accreditation exercises are planned to ensure that the systems in place will function efficiently on election day.
