The distribution of electoral materials and deployment of ad hoc staff to their various polling wards have commenced at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, ahead of the governorship election across the state on Saturday.
Our correspondent who visited the INEC office on Friday, observed that the exercise was hitch-free amidst heavy security presence at the Commission’s Headquarters in Irrua, on Friday.
The officials of INEC were seen sorting and packaging the materials, including voting cubicles, ballot boxes, electoral forms, markers, pens and other relevant items into the vehicles designated for various centres.
Hundreds of ad hoc staff also received their accreditation tags and other relevant materials as they joined the vehicles in moving to their destination of duty.
One of the INEC officials, simply identified as Vera Ibitemi, said, “All the materials both sensitive and non-sensitive have been sorted and packaged and they are ready to be distributed to their various wards tonight for voting tomorrow.
“The ad hoc staff have been sorted and mobilised. The vehicles carrying the materials and the personnel are already on ground. The exercise is in top gear.”
The governorship election is scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 21, across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
Our correspondent gathered that the materials are for voting in Edo Central Senatorial District, which has five LGAs, comprising Esan South-East, Igueben, Esan North-East, Esan West and Esan Central LGAs.
The district is where the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Monday Okpebholo, is located.