The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) on Monday said it would monitor the Edo guber election (state governiship election) slated for Saturday, September 19, through a zoom situation room.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mahmood Yakubu made the disclosure during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting organised by INEC in Benin.
Yakubu said the zoom situation room would also allow the commission to receive live reports from the field.
He said accredited observers and the media will also be invited to join at intervals.
He noted that the zoom situation room would enable the commission to receive first-hand information during the election.
The INEC boss, however, warned that electoral violators would face the consequences of their actions, if caught during the governorship election.
Mahmood listed some of the infractions to include vote-buying, ballot box snatching and stuffing, multiple voting, hijacking and diversion of election materials, among others.
“Edo people must be allowed to freely vote for their preferred candidate without inducement or harassment.
Read also: INEC ready for Saturday;s Edo governorship polls
“We have been assured by the security agencies that thugs and their sponsors will not have the freedom to move around freely to disrupt the election or collation of results,” he said.
The INEC chairman, who reassured Edo people that their votes would count, added that only the choice made by the people of Edo would determine the outcome of the election.
He explained that the commission would not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate.
“Our focus is on our processes and procedures. Nothing more. Be assured that Saturday’s election will be credible.
“The Commission would be deploying magnifying glasses and braille ballot guides to assist Persons with Disabilities (PWDS) to vote unaided.
BBC REPORTS: Edo state election 2020: Nine rules voters must obey during 19 Sept. governorship election – IGP
