The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured political parties and other stakeholders that the Commission will strictly enforce its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with transport unions to guarantee neutrality and efficient logistics during the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Speaking at the INEC stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, Amupitan said the Commission would not compromise its transport arrangements, stressing that vehicles engaged for election duties must remain politically neutral.
He disclosed that immediately after the stakeholders’ meeting, INEC would hold a separate engagement with transport unions to reinforce their responsibilities before, during and after the election.
To ensure timely commencement of voting across the state’s 3,763 polling units, the INEC Chairman announced that Registration Area Centres (RACs) would open from 12 noon on Friday, August 14, for the deployment of election materials, security personnel, transport vehicles and ad hoc staff, who will spend the night at the centres ahead of election day.
Amupitan also revealed that the Commission had activated 97 Super Registration Area Centres and 105 Registration Area Centres across Osun State to improve the distribution of personnel and sensitive materials and eliminate logistical delays.
He further announced a reward system for Electoral Officers whose local government areas record 100 per cent commencement of voting by 8:30 a.m., explaining that the initiative is aimed at encouraging prompt opening of polling units and reducing opportunities for electoral malpractice.
The INEC Chairman confirmed that 14 political parties would participate in the governorship election.
Also speaking, the National Commissioner supervising Osun State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, expressed confidence in the Commission’s preparedness, saying INEC was committed to conducting a free, fair, inclusive and conclusive election.
Earlier, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola, said extensive preparations had been made, including engagements with transport unions to ensure seamless movement of personnel and election materials.
Babalola added that the Commission was determined to make the Osun governorship election a model for credible electoral conduct in Nigeria.
