By Editor
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Tuesday said the emergence of the next governor of Ekiti State will be made possible only by the voters.
This is as the commission pledged not to take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate. Yakubu stated this at the Ekiti Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Meeting in Ado-Ekiti.
InfantNG had reported that the Ekiti Governorship Election is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 18th, 2022.
In his address, Yakubu assured Nigerians of transparency and credibility; security and peaceful conduct of Ekiti State Governorship election, noting that the Commission has implemented several activities for the election.
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He said “For us in INEC, let me reassure political parties, candidates and the electorate that the choice of who becomes the next Governor of Ekiti State is entirely in the hands of voters. INEC will not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.
“Our focus is on the processes and procedures as provided by law. In this regard, the election holding this weekend is historic being the first Governorship election that the Commission will be conducting based on the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 which came into force about four months ago on 25th February 2022. It is also the first election to be conducted based on our revised Regulations and Guidelines anchored on the provisions of the new Electoral Act. We have also revised our Training Manual to reflect the provisions of the new Electoral Act as well as the Regulations and Guidelines.
“The Commission has implemented several activities for the election. We have taken every step and made every arrangement for the successful conduct of the Governorship election this weekend. We held many meetings with political parties and their candidates.
“We had several engagements with the security agencies at national, State and Local Government levels. We consulted with stakeholders. We sought for, and received, the blessings of Royal Fathers and religious leaders. We have recruited, trained and carefully screened all categories of ad-hoc staff to be deployed to the field.
“We have delivered all non-sensitive materials for the election. Voter education and sensitisation is ongoing. We have made arrangements for the transportation of personnel and materials to all polling units on Election Day. For a more effective supervision of the process, we have deployed four National Commissioners, eight Resident Electoral Commissioners and many senior officials to support our State office here in Ekiti State to deliver credible elections.”
