By Aderemi Bamgbose
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says four political parties will take part in the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election scheduled for June 20.
Dr Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, made this known on Wednesday during a stakeholders meeting, held in Okitipupa.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the by-election in the senatorial district followed the resignation of Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, who is now the Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
The Ondo South Senatorial District comprise of Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Areas.
Agboke named the participating political parties as the All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied People’s Movement (APM), Action People’s Party (APP) and Boot Party (BP).
The REC also said Prof. Dayo Faduyile of APC, Adeola Akinwunmi of APM, Adesanya Olaoluwa of APP and Clement Funso-Nejo of BP are the candidates contesting for vacant position.
“Voters with the ongoing CVR exercise are not eligible to vote as the process is still ongoing, only voters with valid PVC’s are eligible to vote during that by-election.
“The total number of registered voters to vote in the six LGA’s is 673, 446 across 1,354 polling units, 66 polling areas and 5,416 poll officials.
“We are fully ready for the by-election as we will deploy 1,359 Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) which has been tested and 264 BVAS backup as well as INEC Result Viewing Portal (iReV).
“Logistics such as security, sensitive and non sensitive materials, like ballot papers, result sheets, Forms EC8A, ballot boxes, voting cubicles, indelible ink, stamps and other materials are all intact,”Agboke said.
Speaking, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu warned politicians against hooliganism, vote buying and other electoral offences, saying the wrath of law would catch up with anyone trying to subvert the electioneering process.
Ohagwu, who was represented by CSP Yusuf Alli, Area Commander in Okitipupa, also urged parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against fomenting trouble as the police and other security agents would be fully mobilised.
Some of the stakeholders at that event who spoke with NAN, hailed INEC for the meeting, saying it was a thoughtful idea of sensitisation of the public in order to have a smooth and peaceful election.
Mrs Iyabo Akinnagbe, head of Iyalaje/Iyaloja in Ondo South, while commending INEC for the meeting, said that messages of the event would be properly disseminated to other stakeholders across the district.
Chief Marcus Ogunowo, who said that the meeting was timely, stated that youths especially, would be warned against electoral violence.
Another stakeholder, Mr Rotimi Ademiju urged the electoral umpire not to be biased in the process, adding that the electorate are looking up to the commission for the sustenance of democracy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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