National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Ahead of the governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials to all 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ondo State.
The distribution exercise, which began on Thursday, is being conducted at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Akure, the state capital, and is being overseen by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Representatives of political parties, as well as security agencies including the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Immigration, Customs, and the Department of State Services (DSS), are present to ensure a smooth process.
Resident Electoral Commissioner Babalola emphasized that the early distribution of materials is a sign of INEC’s readiness to conduct a transparent, free, and fair election. She assured that the process was progressing smoothly, with materials already dispatched to several local governments, including Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Akoko North-East, Akoko North-West, and others.
“All the local governments have received their materials and are checking and loading them onto vehicles. We are on track, and in the next few hours, the distribution will be completed,” she said.
Babalola also highlighted that special logistics arrangements have been made for areas with difficult terrain, especially in riverine communities such as Ilaje and Ese-Odo. To ensure the safe delivery of materials, INEC will deploy boats with Navy gunboats for security. Alternative transportation methods will also be used in areas where roads are impassable.
“We have the support of the Nigerian Navy, who are providing gunboats for security during the transportation process,” Babalola stated.
The Ondo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin, and the State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Adesanya Olaoluwa, praised INEC’s efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a peaceful and transparent election. Both leaders called on their supporters to avoid violence and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Babalola also urged political parties and their supporters to maintain peace during the election and avoid any form of violence.
