The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has urged staff members of the commission to remain non-partisan and exhibit their integrity in the forthcoming Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship election.
Yakubu disclosed this when he visited some INEC offices to assess preparations for the Nov.11 Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo governorship election.
This was made know in the commission’s bulletin in Abuja, adding that INEC was committed to credible election in the states.
“INEC is not a political party and does not have a candidate in the Nov. 11 governorship election.
“All we are going to do is to ensure that the people of Bayelsa and Imo States choose whoever they want to be their governors and our responsibility is to protect the people’s choice,” Yakubu said.
The INEC boss also urged the Electoral Officers in both states to ensure that all Registration Area Centres were fully activated early enough to enable smooth conduct of the election.
He noted that part of the commission’s determination was to ensure that poll officials live up to their responsibilities on election day.
Yakunbu stressed that a refresher training would be organised on Friday Nov. 10 in addition to the refresher training conducted on Friday, Saturday and for Sunday.
In the bulletin, Yakubu and his entourage also met with Members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in both states.
Yakubu told told the head of the security agencies that the principal aim of the meeting was to appraise their readiness in preparation for the Saturday election.
He went further that measures to guarantee the protection of Voters, Election Personnel, Materials, Collation Centres and Transport Providers were among the significant security issues discussed throughout the meeting.
Yakubu also toured some of the commission’s facilities in Yenagoa to examine the available non-sensitive materials ahead of the off-cycle election.
He was accompanied by the National Commissioners and the Resident Electoral Commissioners in both states.
