INEC Ready To Conduct Edo Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it is fully prepared to conduct the approaching Edo Governorship Election, set to take place on September 19.

The commission assured a free, fair, and credible election in the state. The INEC Residential Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Johnson Sinikiem declared this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin.

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The meeting was attended by heads of security agencies, observer groups, traditional institutional institutions, representatives of the participating 14 political parties, governorship contestants, religious leaders, and the media.

Moreover, the REC noted that the meeting, being the last in the run ahead of the poll, was arranged to discuss final touches to all parts of the arrangements and other issues. He, therefore, intimated the gathering of some activities the Edo INEC had carried out, preparatory election.

“We monitored the primaries of the 15 political parties, out of which 14 submitted the names of candidates to the commission by the expiration of the deadline. We have received all non-sensitive materials, and have trained the various categories of staff for the election.

“We have given out Voters’ register to the 14 political parties as mandated in Section 20 of the 2010 Electoral Act, as Amended. We have configured our Smart Card Readers and have sent them to electoral officers,” said the INEC commissioner.

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He also disclosed that the commission had entered into agreements with the National Union of Road Transport Workers, National Association of Road Transport Owners, and the Maritime Union, which are to provide vehicles and boats in four operations.

“We have received personal protective equipment for our personnel and adhoc staff for COVID-19. With barely 5 days to the election, please permit me to say that we are ready for the election. We are just waiting for the receipt of sensitive materials this week, and then the election go on as scheduled,” he said.