The Ondo State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission has declared its readiness to conduct the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for June 20, 2026, assuring stakeholders of a credible, transparent and violence-free exercise.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mutiu Agboke, disclosed this on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Okitipupa, where he outlined the commission’s preparedness and logistics arrangements ahead of the poll.
Agboke said the bye-election became necessary following the appointment of former lawmaker, Jimoh Ibrahim, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He noted that the Senate had subsequently declared the seat vacant in line with constitutional provisions, mandating INEC to conduct a fresh election to fill the vacancy.
According to him, a total of 673,446 registered voters across six local government areas—Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo, and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo—are expected to participate in the exercise, which will take place in 1,354 polling units spread across 66 wards.
The REC said the commission would deploy 1,359 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines for the election, with an additional 264 devices kept as backup to address any technical challenges.
He added that all sensitive materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, had been received and secured in INEC’s vault, while non-sensitive materials had already been distributed to the affected local government offices.
Agboke further disclosed that the INEC Result Viewing Portal would be utilised for real-time upload of polling unit results to enhance transparency.
He said, “The commission is committed to conducting this election in strict compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. All arrangements, including logistics, security and personnel training, have been carefully put in place.”
On security, the REC revealed that INEC was working closely with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to ensure adequate protection of voters, officials and materials.
He warned political actors and other stakeholders against engaging in violence or electoral malpractice, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
“We shall not allow Ondo South to become a theatre of violence and impunity,” he said.
Agboke also urged political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns within the stipulated period of June 10 to June 18, in accordance with the Electoral Act.
He disclosed that four political parties had fielded candidates for the election, adding that parties were permitted to deploy agents to polling units and collation centres, provided they adhere strictly to electoral guidelines.
The REC called on eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate peacefully in the exercise, warning against vote-buying and intimidation.
“Nothing will determine the winner of this election other than the votes of the people,” he added.
He also appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, religious groups and the media to support efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.
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