The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has adequately prepared and is ready for the coming governorship election in Edo state.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has adequately prepared and is ready for the coming governorship election in Edo state.
Prof. Yakubu gave the assurance at the Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Edo State Governorship election held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City on Wednesday.
He said the Commission has deployed 1,836 observers across the state. According to him, the commission has accredited thousands of agents representing candidates and political parties at the 4,730 polling and collation locations across the state.
He said,”As you are aware, election is a multi-stakeholder activity. INEC has a role to play but this must be complemented by stakeholders. The 2024 Edo State Governorship election is not just a national election, it is also of global interest.
“The Commission has so far accredited 134 groups (124 domestic and 10 international) deploying 1,836 observers across the State. Similarly, we have accredited 114 media organisations deploying 721 journalists.
“We have also accredited thousands of agents representing candidates and political parties at the 4,730 polling and collation locations made up of 4,519 polling units, 192 Ward collation centres, 18 Local Government collation centres and the State Collation Centre. I want to assure you that the accreditation tags for all categories of stakeholders are ready.
“We will announce the date and venue for collection in the next 24 hours. Similarly, election duty vehicle stickers are available for collection from our Edo State office here in Benin City.
“In our various engagements with stakeholders at the national level, they underscored the importance of providing security during the election to guarantee their personal safety, the protection of their equipment and unimpeded access to voting and collation locations.
“We have conveyed this concern to the security agencies at the last meeting of ICCES at the national level. We have also discussed the security of our own officials (both regular and ad hoc staff) for the election, the service providers such as transporters and, above all, the citizens that will vote during the election.
“I am glad that the relevant agencies have given us the necessary assurance of security during the election. We will hear more from the Inspector-General of Police shortly.
“Let me reassure stakeholders that INEC is ready for the election. We are deploying the BVAS machines for voter accreditation at polling units and for the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal,”
He disclosed that the mock accreditation in 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas in the three Senatorial Districts of the State was successful.
“Only yesterday, we conducted mock accreditation in 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas in the three Senatorial Districts of the State. The purpose was to test-run our deployment of technology to safeguard the credibility of the election.
“I am glad to report that the mock was successful and the result can be viewed on the IReV portal. But let me also quickly add that the machines used for the mock accreditation and the training of officials will not be used on Election Day.
“We have sufficient machines for the election which have been configured for voter accreditation and the upload of result distinct from those used for mock accreditation and training.”
Yakubu stressed that INEC has been open and transparent in the processes leading to the 2024 Edo State Governorship election holding next week.
“For the 2024 Edo State Governorship election holding next week, INEC has been open and transparent about our processes. We engaged several times with stakeholders at the national level and here in Edo State.
“We have made every information about the election available to Nigerians. We have published the list of candidates, the number registered voters and the number of PVCs collected.
“We have made available the locations of voting and collation centres across the State. We have accredited observers and media organisations for the election.
“We have accredited polling and collation agents and made the details public. Only yesterday, we visited some of the Local Government Areas to assess our readiness for the election. We have test-run our election technology in preparation for the Election Day.
“We are deploying the requisite number of technical staff to address challenges that may occur in the field. We have made arrangements for land and maritime transportation of personnel and materials.
“We have arranged for the delivery of sensitive materials for the election to Edo State early next week.
“We will invite political parties and other stakeholders for the usual inspection of the materials at the Central Bank here in Benin ahead of the delivery to the Local Government Areas.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in our preparations for the election, always in consultation with the stakeholders.
“I urge you to play your own part positively in delivering yet another credible Governorship election in Edo State. You should continue to restrain your supporters from violence and other disruptive conduct. The best way to do so is by the personal example you set as political parties and candidates both in your campaign speeches and action,” he said.
The meeting had in attendance stakeholders which included: the Inspector-General of Police, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Edo State, Chairmen of Political Parties in Edo State, the candidates and their running mates, and National Commissioners of INEC.
Others include, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State, Commissioner of Police and other members of ICCES, traditional, and religious leaders, election observers, among others.
 says it has adequately prepared and ready for the coming governorship election.){kind=link}