ABUJA – The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, commenced a 3-day readiness assessment tour in Edo State on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, ahead of the off-cycle governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Yakubu’s first stop was at the INEC office in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area (LGA), where he inspected non-sensitive election materials. The INEC State Electoral Officer (EO), Mr. James Gamble, led the tour and briefed the Chairman on the preparedness of the local office. The visit was part of INEC’s effort to ensure the smooth conduct of a free, fair, and credible election in the state.
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Following the inspection at Ikpoba-Okha, Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the state of readiness. He then proceeded to Egor LGA, where the EO, Mr. Boma Bamson, guided the team through the office complex and showcased the non-sensitive materials that are ready for deployment on election day.
Yakubu’s entourage included several National Commissioners and top management staff from INEC, all of whom participated in the tour aimed at ensuring that all logistical arrangements for the election were in place. The inspection will also cover Oredo and Ovia North East LGAs during the three-day assessment.
The programme for Tuesday includes further visits to these LGAs, mock accreditation exercises at Western Boys High School and India College, and an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting at the INEC State Office in Benin later in the day.
This readiness assessment is a key part of INEC’s election monitoring activities, designed to ensure that all necessary materials and arrangements are in place for a smooth election process in Edo State.
