Ondo to hold LG elections amid coronavirus outbreak

The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) says the local government elections scheduled for April 18 will take place.

The decision is coming amid the coronavirus outbreak where the federal and state governments are making effort to curb the spread of the disease.

Nigerians have been asked to maintain social distancing.

Nigeria currently has 42 cases of coronavirus, and one death has been recorded.

Speaking with journalists, Rotimi Olorunfemi, commissioner in charge of ODIEC media and publicity, said the poll will not be postponed.

Olorunfemi said several measures would be put in place to check and protect voters from the disease during the election.

He said the commission will collaborate with the state ministry of health to ensure the safety of citizens.

He said adhoc electoral staff will only attend to 20 voters at a time in compliance with laid down safety rules.

He added that hand-washing bowls, sanitisers and gloves will also be provided for those that will participate in the election.

“The electoral officials will only attend to twenty voters at a time in order to align with government laid down rules of health safety,” he said.

“During the training of adhoc staff, arrangements have been made to breakdown it down to manageable sizes in adherence to government directives.”