The people of Ondo State are currently casting their votes to choose who will govern them for the next four years.
The Ondo election is a litmus test for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which says it has learned from its mistakes in the previously held Edo State governorship poll.
Following the exercise in neighboring Edo State on September 21, the ongoing Ondo election on Saturday, November 16 is Nigeria’s first off-cycle poll.
According to the electoral body, polling units would be opened around 8:30 am to enable voters to cast their ballots.
INEC officials are expected to arrive at polling units before that time. It is only those who have the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) that would be allowed to vote.
The die is cast as political heavyweights enter the ring to do battle in the Ondo State governorship election.
Ahead of the exercise, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it cleared 18 candidates for the Ondo poll.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is vying for his first election after he replaced Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who died last year. His major opponent is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Agboola Ajayi who also deputised Akeredolu next four years.
How To Vote In Ondo Election
It is only those who have the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) that would be allowed to vote. But how can you vote in that exercise?
1. Upon getting to the polling booth, a voter would first show INEC officials the PVC. The electoral staff would thereafter check it using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
2. After that, the official would check the voter’s name in the voter’s register and mark it as accredited.
3. After this has been done, the voter would collect the ballot paper and go to the voting box to thumbprint it before dropping it inside the ballot box.
4. INEC officials could also apply ink on the thumb of the voter to indicate that the person has truly voted.
5. Once this has been completed, the voter may decide to go home or stay some meters away from the voting area to wait for sorting and counting.
INEC Assures Readiness
While election logistics has been an issue in past elections in the oil-producing state, the INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu assured that the commission has made arrangements for a smooth poll.
“Over the last four days,” Yakubu said during the signing of a peace accord for the poll. “I have engaged with our own officials, security agencies, and transport service providers here in Ondo State to assess our readiness and perfect our arrangements for the movement of over 17,000 ad hoc and regular officials as well as large quantities of materials to 4,154 voting and collation locations (3,933 polling units, 203 Ward and 18 LGA collation centres).”
INEC said it will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation at the polling units and upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Police Tighten Security
Days after this, INEC began the distribution of materials for the Ondo election and also said it was working with security agencies to ensure a free and fair exercise.
“In preparation for the elections, the IGP has deployed DIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi as the coordinating DIG for the Elections, tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Police security strategies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral period, while AIG Bennett Igweh, and CP Tunji Disu are deployed as AIG and CP Elections respectively,” the Force spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said.
“As part of the security framework, there will be a restriction of all vehicular movements on roads, waterways, and other means of transportation from 6 am to 6 pm on Election Day, with the exception of those on essential services, such as ambulances, media officials, fire services, and other accredited media.”
Tinubu Sues For Peace
On the eve of the election, President Bola Tinubu called for peace and commended INEC for its readiness for the Ondo election.
“As Ondo State prepares for its off-cycle governorship election, President Bola Tinubu urges all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and decorum and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear before or after the elections,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a Friday statement.
“President Tinubu anticipates a democratic process in the state that will genuinely reflect the people’s will and power to freely choose their leaders.”
