.….Says lessons learnt in Edo poll will be used in Ondo.
By: Abraham Chung
The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, today arrived Ondo State to further prepare for the November 16 governorship election.
Speaking with newsmen on his arrival at Akure Airport, Yakubu pointed out that flaws observed and recorded during the recent Edo State gubernatorial election have been identified and will be improved upon during the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.
The INEC Chairman who also commissioned BVAS Storage Facility building, said he would also monitor mock accreditation of voters in 15 polling units and signing of the National Peace Accord.
According to the INEC Chairman, who revealed this in Akure, the state capital, the electoral body is fully prepared for the poll, hence his arrival in the state to meet with stakeholders ahead of the election.
Prof. Yakubu, who stated that mock accreditation of voters will be observed in six local councils of the state on Wednesday, added that the peace accord will also be signed by the political gladiators in the state.
Prof. Yakubu accompanied by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola said “We have received positive reports from our state office in Akure but we decided also to come for readiness assessment.
“So, we are here basically to look at what is happening, the good work that the state office has done, we are going to meet with the stakeholders including political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and we are also going to meet with our staff to assess our readiness. We will be here for a few days.
“One of the activities we are also going to observe is the mock accreditation of voters which will take place in 16 polling units across six local government areas in the three senatorial zones of the state.
“In addition to other activities, we are also going to meet with the stakeholders on Thursday, and the following day, the National Peace Committee will als invite all the stakeholders for the signing of the National Peace Accord.
“We have learnt a lot of lessons not only from the last election but also previous elections. Basically, there are two challenges, the first one is logistics for election, so that polling units open promptly on election day.
“The second one is result management and my assurance to voters in Ondo State is that they are going to see fast improvement in these two processes,” he said.
