Osun By-election: INEC Affirms July 8 For Conduct Of Election As Police Imposes 12hrs Vehicular Restriction

By Abdulrofiu Agboola

Barring any unforseen circumstance the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), has reaffirmed July 8 as the date slated for Osun West by-election.

This is Contrary to seeming speculations making the round by some political gladiators, especially members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Convening a meeting of political stakeholders at the INEC office, which had Security agencies, representatives of political parties, and media in attendance, the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner Mr. Baritor Kpagih,who is in Osun for the purpose of the election sought for the cooperation of all and sundry to make the process a success.
Kpagih disclosed that eleven political parties would participate in the election, saying only electorate with permanent voters cards, verified by card readers would be allowed to vote during the election. .
The REC l further disclosed that voting and accreditation would take place simultaneously, and voting would commence by 8:00am and close by 2:00pm adding however that whosoever was on queue at the closing hour would be allowed to vote.
He however appealed to politicians and political parties to keep thugs away from the polling and collation centres while selection was still ongoing, saying security agents would be on ground to provide security

Kpagih explained that he had visited the ten Local Government Areas where the election would hold and discovered that people in those areas were highly intelligent, peaceful, educated and civilized citizens.
He said he was optimistic that the election would go on peacefully stating “we are going to have a good day”.
The State Commissioner of police, Mr. Olafimihan Adeoye in his remarks announced the restriction of vehicular movement between the hours of 6:00am and 6:00pm on the day of election.

He warned those who have no business in the electoral process to stay off ballot areas adding that security agencies will collaborate to ensure a violent free election.
In the same vein, the Director of NYSC Mr. Emmanuel Attah urged politicians not to harass or intimidate corps members deployed as INEC ad hoc staff while performing their duty.
He noted that there are no fake corp members in the state adding that whosoever attempt to impersonate corp members would be detected promptly and made to face the music.
Corroborating the CP, the Controller of Immigration in the State, Mr. Idowu Adebowale said his command would not tolerate miscreants attempting to loiter around poling units
Adebowale also sounded a notice of warning to foreigners not to tarnish the image of their country and therefore advised to stay away from polling units as they are not entitle to vote.