The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials ahead of the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for June 20.
The exercise took place on Wednesday at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Akure, where electoral officials, security agencies and representatives of political parties gathered to witness the deployment process.
Sensitive materials, including ballot papers, result sheets and other essential electoral documents, were distributed to designated locations across the senatorial district under strict monitoring aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability.
The bye-election is being conducted to fill the vacant Senate seat previously occupied by Jimoh Ibrahim following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mutiu Agboke, assured stakeholders that the commission had completed all necessary preparations for the election.
According to him, the distribution of non-sensitive materials had already been concluded, while the deployment of sensitive materials was being carried out in the presence of political party agents and security operatives to guarantee openness and credibility.
Agboke also disclosed that all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines designated for the election had undergone testing and certification to ensure functionality on election day.
He added that additional backup devices had been provided to address any unforeseen technical challenges that might arise during the voting process.
The electoral commissioner revealed that a total of 673,446 registered voters are expected to participate in the poll across 1,354 polling units and 66 registration areas spread across six local government areas of the district.
The affected local government areas include Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
Agboke further stated that only four political parties would participate in the bye-election.
They are the All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples’ Movement, Action Peoples Party and Boot Party.
While expressing confidence in the commission’s readiness, the REC urged political actors and voters to uphold peaceful conduct and support efforts aimed at ensuring a credible process.
“Nothing will determine the winner of any election in Ondo State other than the votes of the people,” he said.
He also challenged stakeholders to demonstrate transparency in their actions, warning against vote-buying, violence and other activities capable of undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
“If you are asking INEC about transparency, also ask the stakeholders, particularly political parties, to be transparent. If you bring money to buy votes, you are not transparent.
”If you unleash violence, harass election officials or create problems in the electoral space, you are not transparent,” Agboke stated.
He reassured voters that INEC personnel had been adequately trained and would operate in accordance with established electoral guidelines and best practices.
“For INEC, we have trained our staff. They are going to work with the best practices and standards we have provided. They will ensure that people’s votes count,” he added.
In a separate remark, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Ondo State, Alex Adeniyi, expressed confidence in the commission’s preparations and commended the leadership of the state REC.
According to him, INEC has demonstrated commitment to conducting a transparent and credible election that will reflect the will of the electorate.
Meanwhile, representatives of participating political parties called on the commission to ensure the prompt delivery of election materials to polling units to avoid delays that could affect the voting process.
The Ondo State Chairman of the Allied Peoples’ Movement, Felix Oloro, and the Action Peoples Party representative, Olaoluwa Adesanya, both affirmed their parties’ readiness for the contest and pledged full participation in the exercise.
With the distribution of sensitive materials now underway, attention shifts to Saturday’s poll as voters prepare to elect a new representative for the Ondo South Senatorial District.
