The police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday declared their readiness to conduct a hitch-free election on Saturday.
Former INEC Acting Chairman, Amina Bala Zakari , said effort would be made to avoid an inconclusive election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Segun Agbaje, said all electoral materials had been distributed.
He said the commission was more determined to prosecute anyone who violated the Electoral Act.
Zakari and Agbaje spoke when they briefed international observers, including representatives of the United Kingdom, German and the Netherlands embassies at the INEC headquarters in Akure.
Residents were seen in last minute shopping as they prepare for Saturday’s polls. The markets and banks were busy.
Agbaje dispelled rumours that the election had been postponed till December 19. He said the poll would hold on Saturday as scheduled.
He said sensitive materials were distributed on Thursday and Friday to the local government areas, from where they will be taken to the polling units on Saturday.
Agbaje said smart card readers had been configured to ensure that voting does not go beyond the stipulated time.
He said when fully charged, the machines could work for 10 hours.
The REC said effort was being made to ensure there were little or no hitches.
Agbaje said accreditation and voting would be done simultaneously which he believes would “help capture more voters.”
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, said anyone found inducing voters with money would be arrested no matter how highly placed.
The DIG, who is the ground commander-in-charge of Ondo governorship election, said every arrangement had been made to ensure there were no security breaches.
Habila is being assisted by two Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Paul Okafor of Zone 11 and E. S. Saha of the Air Wing.
Each senatorial zone is headed by a commissioner of police.
The DIG said over 26,000 policemen had been deployed to ensure a smooth election.
THE NATION
