INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials in Lagos

Sensitive materials for the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State are now being distributed by the Independent National Electoral Commission to the state’s various local government areas.

On Wednesday, the Central Bank of Nigeria delivered the sensitive materials (ballot papers and results sheets) to INEC.

Several stakeholders watched the exercise, which was overseen by Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, and CP Idowu Owohunwa, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

The materials were distributed to the 20 LGA offices in the state by INEC Electoral Officers who were present on the ground.
Speaking to reporters, Agbaje urged stakeholders’ cooperation and support, noting that INEC was prepared to conduct free, fair, and credible elections on Saturday.

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He claims that the sensitive materials are protected and undamaged so that all interested parties can see the commission’s transparency.

He mentioned that starting on Thursday, the councils’ materials would start to be distributed to the state’s 245 wards.
In order to ensure that materials arrived at Registration Area Centers and Polling Units on time on Friday and Saturday morning, respectively, he said INEC wanted to take certain measures.

As the date for the governorship and house of assembly elections, March 18, approaches, we are back here. On Saturday, elections will be held in 40 constituencies throughout Lagos State.
And now we’re at the CBN to gather our sensitive materials, which security agencies will then transport to all 20 local government areas in the state, Agbaje said.

The head of INEC claimed that in order to demonstrate the commission’s transparency, the exercise was conducted in full view of representatives from civil society organizations, political party agents, observers, and the media.

Agbaje stated that the commission had urged security organizations to stop such on Saturday.

The police commissioner has assured us that the situation will be better this time, he continued.

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He claims that in order to increase security and ensure a free and fair election, the commission is in constant communication with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
The commissioner of police, who was represented by ACP Sagir Ismail, reassured residents and voters during his remarks that there would be enough security personnel on hand to ensure security on election day.

He exhorted locals to exercise their right to do so without fear.