INEC Starts Distribution of Sensitive Materials for Ondo South By‑Election

—673,446 voters, 4 parties to participate

—-BVAS tested, backups ready– INEC

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing sensitive election materials for the Ondo South Senatorial District bye‑election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

The distribution, overseen by electoral officials, security agencies and party representatives, involved the delivery of ballot papers, result sheets and other sensitive items to designated locations ahead of the poll.

The bye‑election was called to fill the vacancy left by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim after his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by President Bola Tinubu.

During the exercise held at the Central Bank of Nigeria premises, Resident Electoral Commissioner Mutiu Agboke said all logistical arrangements for a smooth conduct of the election had been finalized.

Agboke noted that non‑sensitive materials had already been distributed, while sensitive materials were being deployed in the presence of party agents and security personnel.

He added that the commission had tested and certified all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices designated for the election, with additional backup machines available to address potential technical challenges.

The REC reiterated that a total of 673,446 registered voters are expected to participate across 1,354 polling units and 66 registration areas in Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese‑Odo, Odigbo, and Ile‑Oluji/Oke‑Igbo local government areas.

According to him, only four political parties will contest: the All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples’ Movement, Action Peoples Party, and Boot Party.

Agboke urged stakeholders to observe transparency and peaceful conduct during and after the election.

“Nothing will determine the winner of any election in Ondo state other than the votes of the people,” he said. “If you are asking INEC about transparency, also ask the stakeholders, particularly political parties, to be transparent. If you bring money to buy votes, you are not transparent. If you want to unleash terror or violence, you are not transparent. If you want to harass our staff or create problems in the electoral space, you are not transparent.”

“For INEC, we have trained our staff. They will work with the best practices we have set. They will ensure that people’s votes count,” he added.

Mr Alex Adeniyi, state Chairman of the Inter‑Party Advisory Council, expressed confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct a smooth and transparent poll.

Adeniyi said the electoral body under Agboke had shown readiness to ensure that people’s votes count.

Meanwhile, representatives of the political parties reminded INEC of the need for early arrival of election materials. Felix Oloro, state Chairman of APM, and Olaoluwa Adesanya, representative of APP, both affirmed their readiness for Saturday’s bye‑election.

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