Off-cycle polls: We’ve no candidate, electorates will decide winner – INEC

With about 24 hours to the commencement of the governorship election in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo state, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has again assured the electorates in the three states of free, fair and credible polls.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave this assurance in his message on the off-cycle governorship polls on Thursday.

Yakubu, however, noted that the commission cannot conduct credible elections alone, noting that other stakeholders must play their parts.

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The INEC chairman also maintained that the commission has no candidate in the election stating that the choice of who becomes the Governor in the three states is entirely in the hands of voters.

He noted “Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. As with every election, lessons have been learnt from recent elections. We will continue to ensure free, fair and credible and inclusive elections but INEC cannot do it alone.

“We have received assurances from the security agencies that the environment will be secure for electoral activities and all participants: voters, electoral officials, accredited observers, the media and polling/collation agents.

“Political parties and candidates have signed the peace accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee. Let us maintain the peace and play our roles conscientiously.”

The INEC chairman also re-emphasised that INEC was not a political party and “We have no candidate in the election. Our responsibility is to safeguard the process and ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

“The choice of who becomes the Governor of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States is entirely in the hands of voters.”

Speaking further, Yakubu said “We have delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the elections.

“The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System has been configured for deployment to Polling Units as the only means of voter verification and fingerprint/facial biometric authentication of voters.

“Polling Unit results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing portal. All election duty officials have been trained. Arrangements have been made for land and maritime transportation to enable us to commence voting on schedule.

“Despite the extremely difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, we are determined to ensure that our officials are there waiting for voters rather than the voters waiting for our arrival.

For the off-cycle elections, Yakubu said it has deployed two National Commissioners, nine Resident Electoral Commissioners, and Administrative Secretaries as well as additional staff from different states to each of the three states to support the process.