By: Abraham Chung
In a concerted effort to assure the public of its readiness for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has conducted a statewide mock accreditation exercise in selected polling units.
This initiative, which spanned multiple Local Government Arkeas (LGAs), aimed to test the functionality and reliability of voting equipment and assess the preparedness of polling units across the state.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, led an extensive on-site review of the mock exercise, visiting key areas in Akure South, Idanre, and other regions to personally observe the functionality of the accreditation machines.
During the exercise, Yakubu who was accompanied by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, expressed confidence in INEC’s preparedness but emphasized the importance of validating the efficiency of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines through real-world trials.
“We can’t take readiness for granted. That’s why, as part of our preparations, we decided to conduct a mock accreditation exercise to further test the functionality of the machines,” said Yakubu during a visit to a polling unit in Akure South LGA.
He highlighted that the commission’s proactive approach, including impromptu visits to local government offices, was designed to guarantee a smooth process on election day.
The INEC chairman alongside others officials of the commission, visited the Idanre, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, both in Ondo Central and Ondo South Senatorial Districts of Ondo State.
The INEC chairman, who said the mock accreditation exercise was part of the commission preparation, said if the parties and their supporters maintain peace it would enable the commission to conduct free and fair election.
According to him, the mock accreditation exercise was to further test functionality of their system.
Yakubu said; “We will ensure that all the polling unit open on time so that voters will not come and wait for INEC officials and materials. We have test the integrity of the machine, is not the matter of deploy early but also accredit early.
“We are doing our best as Electoral Commission and other should also do their best particularly political parties and the candidate
“I want to appeal to political parties, candidates and their supporters to ensure that they maintain the peace that will enable us to deploy in good time, concluding the processes in good time.
“And also to announce the candidate people of Ondo State are choosing as their governor on Saturday.”
Speaking on the accreditation exercise, Isiaka Taiwo, who was accredited at the Ijapo High School, Akure in ward 4, unit 41, applauded the INEC for the conduct.
“There is no delay in the exercise, and I will come along with my family to cast our vote for candidate of our choices,” he said.
Also, Adebimpe Bankole, who was accredited at Alagbaka Primary School, Akure in ward 5, unit 18 said that INEC deserved 80 per cent credit for the mock exercise.
Bankole said; “I am satisfied with the process because I don’t wasted any time before I could do my accreditation. I would have given them 100 per cent but I can’t rather I will give them 80 per cent because they have done well. By God grace I will come out on Saturday, Nov. 16 for the election proper to cast my vote.”
