Ekiti Governorship Poll: Police, INEC assure Safe Distribution of Election Materials, Adequate Security

The police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have assured of adequate security for election materials and personnel ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State.

They gave the assurance as the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials commenced across the 16 local government areas.

Speaking during the movement of election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, CP Abayomi Shogunle, said the process was being conducted in a transparent manner with the participation of key stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations and the media.

According to him, the materials are being sorted and distributed to all local government areas under strict security arrangements.

“The process is being coordinated by the Resident Electoral Commissioner. We have representatives of political parties, civil society organisations and the media here to ensure transparency.

“What we are witnessing is the sorting and distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the 16 local government areas,” he said.

Shogunle disclosed that police officers had been deployed to escort the materials from the INEC office to local government headquarters, where they would be secured pending further movement to Registration Area Centres, RACs, and subsequently to polling units on election day.

He explained that security personnel would guard the materials at every stage of the distribution process to ensure they arrive safely at designated polling units before the commencement of voting on Saturday.

Addressing concerns over security in identified flashpoints, including Ilejemeje Local Government Area, the police commissioner said adequate measures had been put in place based on intelligence reports and risk assessments conducted by various stakeholders.

He noted that the election security plan was built on a multi-layered framework approved by the Inspector-General of Police, aimed at preventing any security breach during the poll.

“We have considered different inputs, including intelligence reports and risk assessments. Adequate measures have been put in place to address concerns in areas identified as flashpoints. The security framework is multi-layered, meaning several measures have been deployed to ensure the election is peaceful, free and devoid of violence,” Shogunle stated.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi expressed satisfaction with the distribution process, describing it as smooth and orderly.

“As you can see, everything is going smoothly,” the REC said.

He urged residents of the state to come out en masse on election day and vote for candidates of their choice in a peaceful atmosphere.

“Ekiti has always been peaceful, and we assure the people that we are going to conduct a free, fair, transparent and inclusive election,” he said.

Local government representatives were seen convening the materials from the distribution centre.

Ahead of Saturday’s Rivers South-East senatorial bye-election, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has begun the distribution of sensitive electoral materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, office in Port Harcourt.

Speaking with journalists during the exercise, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Rivers State, Dr. Johnson Alalibo, said all sensitive materials were properly secured and remained intact without any form of tampering.

He stated that the materials would be moved under heavy security to the seven local government areas where the election will hold.

Alalibo also expressed confidence that INEC is fully prepared to deliver a credible, transparent and peaceful election on Saturday.

He called on political party agents and election observers to stay alert and ensure that the process is not compromised by any individual or group.

The exercise was witnessed by INEC National Commissioner supervising Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, Prof. May Agbamuche-Mbu, along with RECs from Katsina, Kano and Adamawa states.

Representatives of political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders also observed as officials sorted ballot papers and result sheets for distribution to the seven affected local government areas.