The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has distributed non-sensitive electoral materials across the sixteen local government areas ahead of the July 14 governorship election. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji, disclosed this to reporters at a security meeting with party candidates held at the State Police Command headquarters in Ado-Ekiti.
The meeting was attended by all heads of security agencies in the state including the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS). He explained that the sensitive materials will be distributed to the council areas twenty four hours before the election is held.
The electoral chief explained that INEC would be fair and transparent to all political parties adding that the votes of the electorate will count at the poll. Raji said: “We are satisfied with the meeting and we have cordial relations with the political parties. They have all agreed to remain calm before, during and after the election and we are counting on their words. We on our part, we promised to remain with our core values, to be transparent and be fair to all.
Candidates standing for the election have pledged to maintain peace before, during and after the July 14 poll “in the interest of the state.” All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the security agencies assured them of adequate security of lives and property of the citizens. Fayemi, while lamenting recent killings in the state, noted that the candidates have all agreed with the security agencies on ways to ensure peaceful poll in the state.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, stressed that the interactive session has availed candidates to agree on how to prevent violence in the course of the campaigns and on election day. The Deputy Governor urged the people of the state to summon the courage on the day of election to exercise their civic rights, adding that federal might would not work in the state.
Also the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed assured that all security agencies are ready for the poll, noting that flashpoints in the state had been analyzed. Ahmed said: “The essence of the discussion is to analyse the current political situations in the state. We all know current situation of the state ahead of the July 14 poll. At the moment, all the candidates have been told our own side and we want to assure them that the remaining period of the campaigns and voting day, all must be well.” (The Nation)
