The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday conducted a mock accreditation exercise ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu; state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola and other officials of the commission monitored the exercise at some local government areas in the state.
Some of the areas covered by the chairman and his team included polling units in Akure South, Akure North and Idanre Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking during the exercise, the INEC chairman expressed satisfaction with the equipment deployed, saying it was an indication of the readiness of the commission for the November 16 governorship poll.
The INEC boss stressed that the mock accreditation exercise was to further test the functionality of its system.
He said, “We can’t take readiness for granted. That’s why, as part of our preparations, we decided to conduct a mock accreditation exercise to further test the functionality of the machines.
“We are pleased with the results so far. Many voters were accredited using facial recognition, showing that our systems are working as intended.
“In Akure North and South, as well as in other areas we visited, electoral officers are prepared. Sensitive materials will arrive on Thursday (November 14), completing the logistical arrangements necessary for a successful election.”
Yakubu appealed to other stakeholders in the state to cooperate with the INEC to have a smooth exercise, saying the commission had made adequate preparations for the election.
“We will ensure that all the polling units open on time so that voters will not come and wait for INEC officials and materials. We have tested the integrity of the machine, it is not a matter of deploying early but also accrediting early.
“We are doing our best as the electoral commission and others should also do their best, particularly political parties and the candidate, I want to appeal to political parties, candidates and their supporters to ensure that they maintain the peace that will enable us to deploy in good time, conclude the processes in good time and announce the candidate people of Ondo State are choosing as their governor on Saturday.”
One of those accredited at Alagbaka Primary School, Akure, in ward 5, unit 18, Mrs Adebimpe Bankole, commended the INEC for the exercise, saying the process was fast without any hitch.
“I am satisfied with the process because I didn’t waste any time before I could do my accreditation. The process is very fast. By God’s grace, I will come out on Saturday, Nov. 16 for the election proper to cast my vote,” Bankole said.
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