Ondo Guber Polls: INEC conducts mock accreditation, calls for peaceful exercise 

Ondo Guber Polls: INEC conducts mock accreditation, calls for peaceful exercise 

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

In preparation for the upcoming governorship off-cycle election in Ondo State scheduled for November 16, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, conducted a mock accreditation exercise aimed at assessing the readiness of the state for the polls. 

The exercise utilized the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to ensure a seamless voting process.

During a tour of several polling units across selected Local Government Areas in the state, Professor Yakubu called on political parties to prioritize peace and cooperation among citizens to facilitate a smooth electoral process. 

“The success of any election depends not only on the preparedness of the electoral officers but also on the cooperation of all stakeholders. A peaceful atmosphere is essential for the movement of materials and for ensuring that election day proceeds without major disruptions,” he stated.

The tour, conducted alongside assessments of ongoing preparations for the election, involved visits to different polling stations where Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the logistical arrangements in place. 

“In terms of preparations, I am very impressed with the state office and the local governments we have visited. The BVAS machines are already configured and ready to be deployed, and all officials in riverine areas will be provided with life jackets to ensure safety during transport,” he explained.

Yakubu’s remarks extended to the importance of early resumption of polling units on election day, urging all necessary measures to ensure prompt commencement of the voting process. 

He reassured the public about the timely delivery of sensitive election materials to polling points, stating, “I commend the electoral officers at the Local Government level for their readiness and commitment to conducting a credible election.”

In tandem with the mock accreditation exercise, a meeting was held between INEC and representatives from the Road Transport Workers Union of Ondo State, emphasizing the critical role of the transport sector in ensuring both the timely movement of election materials and voters on election day. Prof. Yakubu emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “We are engaging with all stakeholders, including transport unions, to ensure that there is a coordinated effort in getting election materials to the right places.”

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, echoed these sentiments, stressing the significance of timely transportation for the credibility of the election. 

“We expect all drivers to stay at the RAC with our ad hoc staff to ensure early deployment to polling units,” Babalola advised, while reiterating that all necessary safety measures for vehicles and boats would be taken to guarantee a smooth election process.

In addition to logistical preparations, Professor Yakubu has commenced the establishment of the BVAS storage center in Akure and held an Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting, focusing on strategies to ensure a trouble-free poll.

As the state gears up for the gubernatorial election, Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election, urging all stakeholders to contribute to a peaceful electoral process. The National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, is set to host a peace agreement signing ceremony for all political parties to reaffirm their commitment to conducting themselves properly before, during, and after the election.