The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has announced that the results of the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State, scheduled for next Saturday, may potentially be available on the same day of the election, if all goes according to plan.
Speaking in Akure, the state capital, Yakubu expressed the commission's commitment to ensuring a fast and transparent electoral process, highlighting the importance of this approach in fostering public trust in Nigeria's democratic institutions and procedures.
Yakubu made these remarks during the conduct of a mock accreditation exercise in Akure as part of INEC’s preparation for the Ondo State election.
The INEC Chairman, along with his team, monitored multiple polling units across Akure South, Akure North, and the Idanre Local Government Areas, assessing the readiness of each unit and observing the conduct of the exercise.
Yakubu voiced his satisfaction with the equipment and systems being utilized, emphasizing that the exercise had demonstrated INEC’s thorough preparation for the November 16 governorship poll.
He elaborated that the mock accreditation was an essential step in testing the efficiency and reliability of the technology to be used during the election, aiming to ensure that the actual voting day would proceed smoothly.
In his words, “We cannot take readiness for granted. As part of our preparations, we decided to carry out a mock accreditation exercise to further validate the functionality of our machines and processes.”
Yakubu added, “The results from the mock exercise have been promising. Many voters were successfully accredited using facial recognition technology, which confirms that our systems are functioning as intended.”
During his inspection of the accreditation process in Akure North, Akure South, and other observed areas, the INEC chairman commented that electoral officers appeared well-prepared for the task ahead.
He further disclosed that sensitive materials, critical to the voting process, are set to arrive on Thursday, November 14, ensuring all logistical aspects are finalized in advance of the election date.
Yakubu also called on all stakeholders within Ondo State to collaborate with INEC to facilitate a seamless election process, noting that the commission has taken comprehensive steps to ensure readiness across all polling units.
He assured, “We will make every effort to open all polling units on time so that voters will not have to wait for INEC officials or materials. We have not only tested the integrity of the machines, but we are also committed to deploying them promptly and beginning accreditation early.”
Yakubu stated that INEC is doing everything possible to fulfill its responsibilities effectively, but urged other stakeholders, including political parties and candidates, to uphold their roles in maintaining a peaceful environment conducive to a successful election.
He further appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to observe peace, allowing INEC to complete the voting process efficiently, announce results promptly, and officially declare the candidate chosen by the people of Ondo State as their governor.