By Gloria Afajagbe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State says it is ready for a free, fair and credible supplementary elections into three state constituencies, as well as, a Federal House of Representative seat in the state.
The INEC Voter Education Officer of the state, Timidi Wariowie said this today in Benin City while speaking with our reporter on the preparation for supplementary poll, scheduled for Saturday.
Wariowie stated that the areas, where the supplementary election would hold is small, hence there would be no hitches during the exercise.
“The commission is ready for elections in three state constituencies as well as the remaining federal House of Representative Constituency.
“We are going to use majorly our staff members, while NYSC corp members would complement in areas where staff members are not sufficient. All those things are being worked out and we are also meeting security agents to finetune security arrangement for the election,” he said.
Recall that during the March 18 state House of Assembly election in the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 12 out of the 24 seats; All Progressives Congress (APC) won eight; Labour Party, one while election in Egor, Oredo West, and Ovia South West constituency were declared inconclusive by the electoral body.
Also, during the February 25 National Assembly election, APC won two Senatorial seats and Labour party won one; but for the Federal House of Representatives, APC won six constituency seats, Labour won one while election into the Uhunwonde/Orhionmwon constituency was declared inconclusive.
INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, a fortnight ago had announced April 15 as the date for supplementary elections in places where the polls were declared inconclusive.
