INEC has begun the distribution of sensitive election materials in Lagos.
Glamtush reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials to be used for governorship and House of Assembly elections to various local government areas of the state.
This online newspaper understands that INEC took delivery of the sensitive materials (ballot papers and results sheets) from the Central Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday.
The exercise, led by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, and the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Idowu Owohunwa, was monitored by various stakeholders.
INEC Electoral Officers from the 20 local government areas were on the ground to distribute the materials to their respective LGA offices in the state.
Speaking to newsmen, Agbaje, who noted that INEC was ready to conduct free, fair and credible elections on Saturday, called for the cooperation and support of stakeholders.
According to him, the sensitive materials are secured and intact for every stakeholder to see the transparency of the commission.
He noted that the onward distribution of the materials from the councils to the 245 wards of the state would begin on Thursday.
He said INEC wanted to ensure that materials got to Registration Area Centres and Polling Units on time on Friday and Saturday mornings respectively.
“We are here again as March 18 approaches for the governorship and house of assembly elections In Lagos State, election will be conducted in 40 constituencies on Saturday.
“And here we are at the CBN to collect our sensitive materials which will be escorted from here by security agencies to all the 20 local government areas of the state,” Agbaje said.
The INEC boss said the exercise was carried out in the full glare of agents of political parties, civil society organisations, observers and the media to show transparency of the commission.
Agbaje said the commission had appealed to security agencies to prevent such on Saturday.
“This time around, the commissioner of police has assured us that the situation will be better,” he added.
According to him, the commission is in constant talks with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to improve security for the election to be free and fair.
In his remarks, the commissioner of police represented by ACP Sagir Ismail assured voters and other residents that there would be adequate security personnel to provide security on election day.
He urged residents to go and exercise their franchise without fear.
NAN
