INEC Begins Distribution Of Sensitive Materials For Ondo Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday began distributing sensitive materials to all 18 local government areas in Ondo State ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, supervised the exercise at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Akure.

Speaking during the distribution, Babalola emphasized that the early release of these materials reflects INEC’s commitment to a well-organized electoral process.

She further assured residents, political parties, and stakeholders of INEC’s dedication to ensuring that no ward or polling unit is overlooked in the distribution process.

Babalola also reiterated the commission’s commitment to conducting a transparent, free, and fair election in Ondo State.

She 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.”

The REC explained the difficult terrain on water; Ilaje and Ese-Odo had been identified in those areas, and there were boats that would transport both men and materials.

“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 said.

Babalola, therefore, appealed to the political parties and their supporters to eschew violence on election day and after the election.