The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, has assured voters of their safety ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday.
Speaking with journalists in Akure on Friday, Babalola emphasized that all necessary security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In addition to the security presence, Babalola disclosed that officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would be on the ground to monitor and curb any incidents of vote buying.
She encouraged residents of Ondo State to participate in the electoral process, urging them to cast their votes without fear or intimidation.
Babalola said, “The security agencies have given us assurance. They are deploying over 30,000 security personnel and we have trained security personnel ahead of time.
“We trained them on the need to be professional and the need to be committed to the job they engage in.
“We also taught them our process. You know, when you don’t know someone else’s process, some things you think are not right, some things you think are wrong.
“So we have trained them and they have cascaded this training to their commands.
“Our people are on the field now and we are just awaiting feedback for them to arrive at their various offices.
“EFCC and the ICPC, are part of the Inter-Security Committee on Election Security.
“We have been having collaborations with them. They have had several meetings and they said they have their own things they have set up on how to mitigate vote buying and vote selling in the state.
“My assurance for Ondo State electorate is that materials will be at the polling units on time. The polling units will open on time.
“They should come out en masse. All people that are registered voters should exercise their franchise.
“They should come out on time and vote. We promise them this election will be free. It will be fair. It will be credible. It will be transparent. And it will be inclusive.”
