INEC is ready for Ondo Election, says Chairman

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has confirmed the adequate level of preparation by the commission for a free and fair conduct of Ondo State governorship election slated on October 10, 2020.

Prof. Yakubu stated this in Akure on Wednesday whilst talking with some newsmen. Furthermore, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), announced that the chairman was in Akure on a 3-day visitation in order determine the level of readiness of the Ondo State office of the commission, and to also meet with different stakeholders on the impending election.

Yakubu, who additionally stated that he visited the state to meet with the commission’s personnel contributors on ground stated that regardless of the unfortunate furnace incident, INEC was completely organized for the election.

“We have already recovered. Unfortunately, we lost 5,000 smart card readers, but we recovered by getting the prerequisite number of card readers from the neighbouring Oyo State, and they have been delivered.

“They have arrived, been charged and configured and are ready for the election on Oct.10, in Ondo State.

“Importantly, we will use the Z-pads to upload results on election day real-time and we have moved those Z-pads from Edo to Ondo State for the election.

“So, the same preparations that we made for Edo, we have also made for Ondo, so we are prepared for the election,” he said.

More so, Yakubu announced that he would meet with the council of traditional rulers, safety agencies, and officers of the commission in the 18 Local Government Areas of the state for the sole purpose of the election.

“This is the first visit. We are still coming back a week after for the main stakeholders’ visit and the signing of the peace accord,” he said.

NAN affirms that 5,141 card readers to be used for the Ondo state voting process have been damaged at the Akure INEC office during the night fire outbreak.