Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State, has assured electorates and stakeholders of transparency in the Nov. 16 governorship election.
Babalola gave the assurance during the inspection of sensitive materials by major stakeholders at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday in Akure.
The REC, who said the sensitive materials would be distributed on Thursday, explained that the inspection of the sensitive materials was in a bid to show the transparency of the commission.
According to her, showing the stakeholders the sensitive materials shows that the commission is committed to deliver a free, fair and credible election.
“The reason we invited critical stakeholders such as security officers, political parties, observers, media, among others, to this inspection is to show transparency.
“You can see that they are well wrapped, nobody has tampered with them.
“When we come tomorrow (Thursday) for distribution, we will open them one Local Government (LG) at a time and give them to the electoral officers.
“We will start with the furthest LG so that they can get there on time. When they get to the LG, distribution to registration areas and polling units will start,” she said.
Also, Mr Olumide Festus, a People Democratic Party (PDP) agent, and one of the stakeholders inspecting the sensitive materials, said it would go a long way to determine the outcome of the election.
“With these inspection, I believe that election will taking place as scheduled and I can see security agencies particularly here in CBN that they are fully on ground.
“And we too as a party, we are ready for the election and by the grace of God we shall win,” he said.
Also, Ms Faith Nwadishi, Executive Director, Centre For Transparency Advocacy (CTA), applauded INEC for its transparency ahead of the election.
“With these sensitive materials, we believe that the election will hold as scheduled,” she said.
