By our correspondent/Ruth Oginyi
As political parties tidy up campaigns and other preparation for the Saturday’s bye election in Ebonyi South senatorial zone, the electoral umpire Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Thursday commenced the distribution of sensitive materials for the conduct of the bye-election in Ebonyi South senatorial zone, Ebonyi State.
The distribution of the materials took place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters, Abakaliki the state capital.
INEC will conduct bye-election in Ebonyi South senatorial zone on Saturday to fill the vacant seat in Ebonyi South senatorial zone following the resignation of Senator David Umahi who is now Minister of Works.
The sensitive materials were distributed to the five local governments of the zone which are Afikpo, Edda, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo that made up the senatorial zone .
Security agents, agents of political parties participating in the election and other relevant stakeholders in the electoral system, witnessed the exercise.
Mrs. Onyeka Ugochi the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state, said that the commission had on Wednesday distributed nonsensitive materials including BIVAS that have been configured and are at various local government.
She explained that the commission was fully prepared for the bye-election and urged electorate to come en mass and vote for the candidate of their choice without fear or intimidation, adding that security agents have been deployed to the places where the election is taking place to ensure safety of voters.
She also said the commission will publish names of the adhoc staff to work on the election day before close of work on Thursday.
“Since last week, our offices in the local governments have been flooded with security. So, we don’t have any obstacle or challenge
“We have finished posting our adhoc staff. We are doing the last training of RA supervisors”, she stated.
The REC urged voters to come out en màss on Saturday and cast their vote to the candidate of their choice.
Nwogha Joseph Onyema agents of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), urged the commission to ensure free, fair and credible bye-election.
“From what we are seeing, we are convinced that there is sincerity for now. I am convinced that what is going on now is still right. We are pleading with INEC to ensure credible, fair and transparent election.
“Who wins this election should be declared the winner. There should be no influence of government on the election”, he stated.
