The National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Sunday, expressed optimism that the commission will conduct free, fair and credible governorship elections in Ondo state on November 16, 2024.
Yakabu, who was in the state on Sunday to monitor the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in the state, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of the people, noting that voter apathy will not be experienced during the next election in the state.
The INEC boss however, expressed the commission’s readiness to conduct a hitch-free poll during the off-cycle election in the state, noting that the electoral umpire has made tremendous progress in terms of preparation and that would not disappoint Nigerians
He expressed satisfaction with the turnout recorded for the CVR, saying: ‘I’m basically in Ondo State for two reasons. The first is to observe the ongoing continuous voter registration, which started on Monday, the 27th of last month.
“And we have made tremendous progress based on the daily reports I have been receiving from the state office.
“The second reason is the early assessment of our readiness for the Ondo State governorship election.
“The election is held in the next five months, two weeks, and two days, on November 16.
“From the figures we are seeing of the registration, so far, since the exercise started, there has been a tremendous voter turnout.
“As of yesterday, for instance, in Ondo State, we have about 20,000 fresh registrants as of Saturday, and we are in the middle of the process.
“The new registrants do not include transfers, the collection of cards, or the replacement of cards.
“So, with the enthusiasm demonstrated, particularly by the young men, when you look at the breakdown of the figures, I think there will be no voter apathy in the forthcoming elections.
The INEC boss explained that “Seventeen political parties conducted primaries, 17 political parties nominated candidates, and 17 forms submitted by the political parties for candidates and their running mates were published for public view and comments in Ondo State.
“So, our records are consistent with the records of primaries conducted by political parties and candidates nominated, 17 of them.”