The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed receipt of funds for the conduct of the upcoming Edo State governorship election, slated for September 21, 2024.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during an inspection tour of INEC facilities in Benin City, yesterday. Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation by local government offices and the readiness of non-sensitive facilities for the election.
“Our visit to Edo State is a routine activity of the Commission on the eve of major off-cycle elections. This is a readiness assessment visit to the state, and the purpose is to visit some of the local government areas,”Yakubu stated.
He revealed that the Commission had visited three local government areas and observed a mock accreditation exercise to test-run the integrity of their systems. “We have observed, and so far, so good in terms of readiness of our local government offices for the election and also in terms of the technology we are deploying for the election.”
Yakubu assured the people of Edo State of the Commission’s commitment to conducting a credible, fair, and free election. “My assurance to everyone in Edo State is, on the part of the Commission, we keep saying that INEC is not a political party, therefore, we don’t have a candidate in the election. The responsibility of choosing the next governor of Edo State is entirely in the hands of Edo voters.”
He appealed to registered voters to exercise their franchise, urging them to vote for the party and candidate of their choice. The INEC chairman also reassured that the Commission would protect the integrity of the electoral process and uphold the choice made by the electorate.
With the election just 11 days away, Yakubu’s assurance is expected to boost voter confidence in the electoral process.
