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The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday began the distribution of sensitive materials to all 18 Local Government Areas in Ondo State, ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 16.
The exercise, supervised by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola, was conducted at the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Akure.
Representatives from various political parties, as well as security agencies, including the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Immigration, Customs, and the Department of State Services, were present during the distribution process.
According to Babalola, the early distribution is a demonstration of INEC’s preparedness to conduct a transparent, free, and fair election.
He said, “We promise that the commission will be transparent in the conduct of the election. You can see that the distribution exercise is going on very smoothly.
“The farthest local governments have started moving to their locations. All the other local governments have received their materials; they are checking and loading the vehicles.
“I’m sure that in another one and a half hours, we should be out of it. You can see the logistics we are distributing today, and the vehicles are already moving.
“Ilaje has left, Ese-Odo has left, and Okitipupa and Irele are loading. They will soon leave. Then we move to the next set, Akoko North-East, North-West, Akoko South-West, South-East, Owo, and Ose; they have collected all their materials, and they will leave any moment from now.
“Then Odigbo, Ondo-East, Ondo-West, Ifedore, and Axis are leaving. We are on course. We are moving. The movement is not local government by local government. We are doing simultaneous movement.”
Babalola highlighted that logistics arrangements have been made for challenging terrains, especially in riverine areas like Ilaje and Ese-Odo.
The REC noted that boats, with the support of Navy gunboats for security, will be used to transport election materials and personnel.
For other difficult-to-access areas, alternative transportation means are being utilised to ensure that all materials reach their destinations safely.
“We also have the support of the Navy. They are giving us gunboats to secure the movement.
“For the land where we have difficult terrain, we will move out to the place where vehicles can reach, and we will continue the rest with suitable means of transportation,” she added.
Babalola called on political parties and their supporters to avoid violence and uphold peace throughout the election process.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, along with the State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Adesanya Olaoluwa, praised INEC’s efforts.
They commended the commission’s commitment to transparency and pledged the cooperation of their parties to ensure a peaceful election.
