The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has reassured the Edo eligible voters that their votes will count in the coming gubernatorial election on Saturday, September 19, 2020.
The INEC Chairman gave the assurance on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City, the state capital, with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu also in attendance.
According to the Professor, “Our ultimate objective is to ensure that the choice of who becomes the next Governor of Edo State is entirely in the hands of the voters. I wish to reassure you that votes will count and only the choice made by the people of Edo State will determine the outcome of the election.’
“The Commission shall not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate. Our focus is on our processes and procedures, nothing more.”
The INEC Chairman stated that this is the first Governorship election that the Commission will be conducting in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that global health emergency has necessitated a review of the commissions’ policies, processes and procedures to protect the health of all those involved in elections in line with the guidelines issued by health.
Professor Yakubu also states that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, polling units will now open at 8.30am (instead of 8.00am) and close at 2.30pm (instead of 2.00pm).
“This has become necessary in order to accommodate the additional measures to protect public health necessitated by the global health emergency. However, all eligible voters who are on the queue by 2.30pm will be allowed to vote in line with the Commission’s regulations”, he added
He also emphasised that the Smart Card Readers will be used for voter verification and authentication. “This is a mandatory requirement and where it is deliberately avoided to undermine the integrity of the electoral process, the result for the affected polling unit will be declared void in line with the Commission’s regulations and guidelines” he said.
The INEC Chairman concluded by assuring the people of Edo State that the Commission has taken every step to ensure that the election this weekend is free, fair, credible, inclusive and safe.
