The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has stressed the need for early security preparations ahead of the upcoming two-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
Yakubu stated this during a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, on Friday.
The INEC boss explained the need to determine the number of personnel and other assets to be deployed to strategic locations early enough.
He pointed out that this proactive approach led to the successful conduct of the last Governorship election in Edo State on 19th September 2020 and in Ondo State on 10th October 2020.
“It is important to start security preparations very early.
“In particular, the number of personnel and other assets to be deployed to strategic locations should be determined and mobilised early enough.
“It was this proactive approach that led to the successful conduct of the last Governorship election in Edo State on 19th September 2020 and in Ondo State on 10th October 2020”, he said.
Yakubu added that there were no security incidents in the last governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
“There were no security incidents, materials were delivered promptly, logistics deployed smoothly, Polling Units opened on time, voters attended to efficiently and results collated and announced transparently.”
He, therefore, urged all parties involved to ensure the 2024 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States are an improvement on the success story of the last elections.