The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Thursday, kicked off distribution of sensitive materials for the conduct of bye-election in Ebonyi South senatorial zone of the state.
The bye-election is scheduled to hold on Saturday February 3, 2025 by INEC in order to fill the vacant seat created by the resignation of Senator David Umahi who is now Nigeria’s Minister of Works.
The sensitive materials were distributed to the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Afikpo, Edda, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo that make up the senatorial zone .
Security agents, agents of political parties participating in the election and other relevant stakeholders in the electoral system, witnessed the distribution of the materials which took place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters, Abakaliki, the state capital.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mrs. Onyeka Ugochi, who was present during the distribution of the sensitive materials told Journalists that the commission had on Wednesday distributed other materials including BIVAS that have been configured and are at various LGAs preparatory to the election.
She noted 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.
“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.
Agents of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Nwogha Joseph Onyema, 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.
