'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has pledged to enhance logistical arrangements for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024.
During a quarterly consultative meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu outlined strategic improvements aimed at ensuring timely deployment of personnel and election materials across Ondo’s diverse terrain.
Addressing stakeholders, Prof. Yakubu noted that INEC had learned critical lessons from past elections, driving enhancements in various operational areas, especially logistics. “There will be further improvements, particularly in logistics for the movement of personnel and materials to both land and riverine locations. This is to ensure the prompt commencement of polls and effective management of processes on Election Day,” Yakubu stated.
To bolster its logistics, INEC is conducting a mock accreditation of voters and testing its result upload system on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. This trial run, scheduled for November 6, will take place across 12 polling units in six local government areas spanning the three senatorial districts in Ondo State. This exercise is designed to streamline processes, allowing voters and officials to address potential issues before the main election day.
INEC’s commitment to logistical efficiency is underscored by its decision to undertake a final readiness assessment of the election’s preparations next week. This includes meetings with stakeholders, security agencies, and transport providers to ensure smooth coordination and quick deployment. The involvement of the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, further supports INEC’s efforts to foster a secure environment as parties sign a peace accord on November 8.
INEC’s voter education and staff training efforts have also intensified. Prof. Yakubu emphasized that election duty personnel, particularly polling unit officials, have received specialized training to improve their handling of election protocols and logistics. These measures aim to prevent delays and enhance transparency from voting to the declaration of results.
As part of efforts to enhance transparency, INEC confirmed that data on the recent collection of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) will soon be uploaded to the commission’s website. An impressive 71.6% of PVCs have been collected in Ondo State, with a total of 64,273 cards retrieved from the 89,777 cards delivered for newly registered voters.
Yakubu also acknowledged the essential role of CSOs, urging them to intensify voter advocacy for peaceful elections as campaigns enter their final stages. The chairman praised the CSOs’ ongoing collaboration with INEC, specifically their mobilization efforts that contributed to the high PVC collection rate in Ondo State.
INEC’s readiness for the Ondo gubernatorial election underscores a broader commitment to refining Nigeria’s electoral processes. With significant improvements to logistics and increased collaboration with stakeholders, INEC is set to provide a more efficient and transparent voting experience for the people of Ondo State.
