Kehinde Fajobi
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed confidence in the commission’s preparations for the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16.
He assured that lessons learned from recent elections, including the September Edo governorship election, have informed improvements in logistics and results management.
Speaking on Monday during his visit to INEC’s Ondo headquarters in Akure, Yakubu outlined the commission’s efforts.
“We have learned a lot of lessons not only from the last election but also from previous elections,” he said.
“Basically, there are two challenges. The first one is logistics for the election, so that polling units open promptly on election day. The second one is result management, and my assurance to voters in Ondo State is that they are going to see fast improvement in these two processes.”
Explaining his visit, Yakubu said it was part of a “readiness assessment” to evaluate the state office’s preparations for the election.
“We have received positive reports from our state office in Akure,” he stated.
“But we decided also to come for a readiness assessment. So, we are here basically to look at what is happening and the good work that the state office has done.”
He also announced plans for meetings with key stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and security agencies, to review readiness and coordinate election procedures.
“We will be here for a few days,” Yakubu said, “and one of the activities we are also going to observe is the mock accreditation of voters, which will take place in 16 polling units across six local government areas in the three senatorial zones of the state.”
Yakubu added that on Thursday, INEC will host another meeting with stakeholders, followed by the National Peace Committee’s signing of the peace accord, an event bringing together candidates and stakeholders to commit to peaceful conduct during the election.