The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ondo State, on Wednesday, distributed sensitive materials ahead of the Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West federal constituency by-election scheduled to be held on February 3.
OsunDailyNG reports that the Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal constituency became vacant after President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who occupied the position, as a minister.
Representatives of the eight political parties contesting the election and security agencies, including NSCDC, FRSC, Police, Immigration, and DSS, were at the INEC office in Akure, the venue of the exercise.
The INEC National Commissioner supervising Osun, Ogun, and Ondo, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, who monitored the exercise, said that the distribution of the ballot papers was to show that the commission was ready for the by-election.
Ajayi, who stated that the commission would be transparent in the conduct of the election, pleaded with the political parties to shun violence on election day.
The commissioner said that the sensitive materials were being distributed to ensure that no ward or polling unit was omitted or did not get materials for the election.
“The sensitive materials will be moved to the two local government councils on Thursday with the help of security agencies.
“We want people to have confidence in INEC’s conduct of a free and fair election because we don’t have any political party, we don’t have any candidate, and we are neutral in everything that we are doing,” he added.
