INEC begins configuration of card readers for Ondo poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says configuration of card readers for the November 26 governorship poll in Ondo state will commence on Thursday.

Nick Dazang, the commission’s deputy director, voter education and publicity, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday.

Dazang, who did not give the number of the card readers to be configured, said the device to be deployed would cover the number of polling units and voting points in the state.

“There will also be extra number of card readers to serve as backup for unforeseen or technical challenges,” he said.

He said on the day of election, the commission would deploy teams of technical staff to address any challenge with the card reader.

Dazang added that the commission was already implementing every other plan that would ensure the success and credibility of the election.

The completed ones, according to him, include training of electoral officers /assistant electoral officers, local government area training officers and the deployment of non-sensitive election materials.

“We have also concluded the training for security personnel, supervisory presiding officers as well as presiding and assistant presiding officers,” he said.

“The commission will also commence a two-day training for collation/returning officers from November 21 to November 22,” he said.

On the distribution of election materials, Dazang said the commission had already distributed non-sensitive election materials in the state, while that of sensitive materials would commence next week.

“As part of the activities to ensure that the election is peacefully conducted, INEC will be holding a stakeholders forum on Thursday in Akure,” he said.

“The forum to be addressed by the Chairman of INEC and the Inspector-General of Police will address key issues and concerns on the conduct of the election.”

Dazang, however, urged electorate and other stakeholders in the state, especially leaders and candidate of political parties, to cooperate with INEC towards ensuring that the election was credible and peaceful.

“The conduct of credible and peaceful election is not the sole responsibility of INEC; it requires the collaboration of all stakeholders,” he said.

Ondo state is made up of 18 local government areas, 203 registration areas, 3,010 polling units with a total of 1,660,055 registered voters.