Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial and state assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara, Thursday declared that efforts are on top gear to ensure a hitch-free and credible election in the state.
Malam Garba Attahiru Madami, the state REC, who gave the assurance at a press conference in Ilorin, disclosed that the commission will engage a total of 12,842 personal for the exercise.
Given the breakdown, he said 12, 409 ad hoc staff would be involved while collation officers would be 237 and 196 supervising presiding officers are to partake in the elections.
According to him, 35 candidates are contesting for governorship seat and 338 are contesting for state assembly and that cut across 19 political parties.
On how prepared the commission is for forthcoming election, Madami informed that the commission has addressed the issue of card readers which was the major challenge confronted in the last presidential and national assembly elections.
“We have configured our card readers to the perfect stages. How card reader can work, how it cannot be manipulated and how votes count.
“We are satisfied that our card readers are fixed perfectly. So, we are ready for the election,” he said.
Madami, confirmed that sensitive materials for the exercise arrived CBN and had been distributed to the local governments on Wednesday, adding that he will go round to some local governments to check how prepared each local government is, and ensure things are in order.
He stressed that, the use of card reader is compulsory, just as he disclosed that Friday will be used to retrain the ad hoc staff, collaboration officers, card reader operators and others for efficient election process.
The REC, while congratulating Kwarans for the success of the just concluded election, promised to give all political parties level playing field.
“People’s votes will count and must be counted, they should decide their destiny. As far as I am concern, I belong to the people of Kwara State,” he added.
