Agbaje
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Tuesday said that accreditation of voters and voting would go simultaneously during the November 26 governorship election in Ondo state.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje disclosed this during a press briefing at the commission's headquarters in Akure, the state capital.
The press briefing is to intimate the public on steps being taking by the commission to ensure the success of the poll.
Mr Olusegun Agbaje explained that the introduction of the new voting process is to save time.
According to him, "It is significant at this stage to point out for the benefit of the public especially voters in Ondo state that the commission has now put in place a voting process where accreditation and voting go simultaneously to save time and the rigours of waiting associated with the previous arrangement".
He said the commission has been carrying out some tasks to ensure that the election is free, fair and acceptable to all stakeholders.
"As we speak, preparations for the smooth conduct of the election are ongoing as various stakeholders are already getting their acts together in readiness to play their various roles in this very important election.
"We are working very hard round the clock in order to ensure that no stone is left unturned as we prepare for the successful conduct of the election in line with all relevant laws and international best practices", he said.
The INEC boss added that the commission has also continued to engage with stakeholders through series of meetings, television and radio programmes stressing that other ongoing activities of the commission include distribution of Permanent Voter Cards at INEC offices across the 18 local government areas of the state; monitoring of political party congresses as well as the training and retraining of staff.
30 political parties according to the REC will participate in the election but urged political actors to bring the peaceful manner with which they conducted their primary elections to bear in the general poll.
Mr Agbaje used the occasion to send a strong signal to electoral offenders that it would not longer be business as usual adding that the commission has stepped up action to prosecute anyone culpable.
