The Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction over the mock accreditation in Benin, Edo State, confirming INEC’s readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election in the state.
He gave the assurance when he paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the three local government areas where the mock accreditation took place.
The areas visited by the INEC chairman included Egor, Ikpoba Okha and Oredo Local Government Areas of the state.
Addressing journalists after the exercise in Benin, Mahmood said from his assessment, the commission is fully ready for the election, noting that the electorate has nothing to worry about.
He said, “This is our readiness assessment visit to Edo State and the purpose is to reach some three local government areas to assess our readiness in terms of preparations and materials received so far as well as how we are organizing the election in the next 11 days. We have also visited two centres to observe the Mock Accreditation exercise.
“We intended to test run the integrity of our systems ahead of the election and those for voter registration as well as the upload of the results to the IREV portal.
“So, we have observed and so far so good, in terms of readiness of our local government offices for the election and also the technology that we are deploying for the election, everything is in perfect condition”.
Mahmood stated that the commission under his watch has done its best, noting that it now behoves the electorate to come out en mass to vote for the candidate of their choice.
“INEC is not a political party, therefore, we don’t have a candidate in this election. The responsibility for choosing the governor of Edo State is entirely in the hands of Edo voters and our assurance to all the registered voters in the state is to troop out to vote for the party of their choice and the candidate of their choice.
“The commission will always protect the integrity of the person and uphold the choice made by the electorate”, Mahmood said.
He also appealed to stakeholders to conduct themselves to contribute to the success of the election.
He added, “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to other stakeholders including the security agencies, the political parties, the candidates, the observers and the media to contribute to the successful conduct of the poll.
“We have enough backup. For instance, all the machines used for the mock in 12 polling units across three senatorial districts in Edo state will not be used for the election.
“This is an off-cycle election, we have enough systems to go round. So, I want to assure you that the integrity of the process is protected.”
END.
