Winner of Ondo Governorship Election Will be Announced Without Delay – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that it will announce whoever the people of Ondo State have chosen as their governor on the day of election without any delay.
The National Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made the promise in Akure, the ondo state capital.
Professor Yakubu, who appealed to political parties, candidates, and supporters to maintain peace during November 16 Governorship election in Ondo State urging them to always maintain the peace that exists in the state.
“We are doing our best as the electoral commission, and others should also do their best, particularly the political parties and the candidates.
I once again appeal to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to ensure that we maintain the peace that will enable us to deploy in good time, conclude the process in good time, and announce whoever the people of Ondo State have chosen as their governor on Saturday.
The INEC Chairman, who said the mock accreditation exercise was part of the Commission’s preparation, said if the parties and their supporters could maintain peace it would enable the Commission to conduct free and fair election.
He 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.
He pleaded with political parties and their foot soldiers to desist from criminal acts saying anyone caught commiting electoral offences will face the wrath of the law.
One major highlight of the meeting is the interface between the commission and all candidates of political parties which provided for robust engagements on the way forward.
Also speaking, the National Commissioner supervising Ogun, Osun and Ondo and Chairman of Outreach and Partnership Committee, Prof Kunle Ajayi tasked all stakeholders to actively get involved in the conduct of the electoral process
Earlier in her address, Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola said the event marks the last in the series of engagement with critical stakeholders ahead of the governorship polls.
While particularly appreciating all stakeholders, she said credible election cannot be achieved alone by the commission as all hands must be on deck to make it a reality, noted that a total of 2, 053,061 voters has been registered to participate in the election across 3, 933 polling units just as she reaffirmed that all sensitive materials will arrive the state on the 12th of November and deployed on the 14th of November, 2024.
In a separate remark, IPAC State Chairman, Prince Adesanyan Olaoluwa commended INEC most especially for a job well done just as he enjoined political parties to continue to toe the path of peace, passing vote of confidence on the state REC devoid of any intimidation from some quarters.
The Inspector General of police, Mr kayode egberokun represented by AIG ZONE 17, AIG ABIODUN OLADIMEJI ASABI who described Elections, as a crucial democratic process in which eletorates have the opportunity to exercise their rights disclosed that 22,239 officers have been deployed for the exercise.
Mr Egbetokun also advised other stakeholders like the political parties, candidates and their agents to conduct themselves peacefully and abide by the law, during the election.
The paramount ruler of Akure kingdom, Deji of Akure, oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi charged all traditional rulers in the state to speak with their subjects most especially youths to shun violence during the election.
Reacting, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa stressed that It was the duty of all stakeholders to ensure the election is peaceful, fair and credible.
Also in attendance were candidates of each political parties , ZLP Mr Abbas Mimiko, SDP Mr Bamidele Akingboye, PRP Mr Babatunde Alli, traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of security agencies, among others.
