Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi State, on Thursday, distributed sensitive materials ahead of the Ebonyi South Senatorial Distract by-election scheduled for February 3.
The seat became vacant after President Bola Tinubu appointed Senator David Umahi, who occupied the position, as a minister.
Representatives of the eight political parties contesting the election, security agencies were at the Central Bank office in Abakaliki, venue of the exercise.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ebonyi, Pauline Onyeka, said that the distribution of the ballot papers was to show that the commission was ready for the by-election.
Mrs Onyeka, who stated that the commission would be transparent in the conduct of the election, urged electorate to come out and vote on election day.
The REC said that the sensitive materials were being distributed to ensure that no ward or polling unit was omitted or did not get materials for the election.
She assured of adequate security in all the five local government areas where the election will hold.
“We are 99.9 percent ready for the election. We are distributing sensitive materials which include ballot papers and result sheets. The Bivas have been configured and moved to the LGAs yesterday,” she said.
She promised that the election will be free and fair adding that the Electoral Officers for the election have been adequately trained.
The election will hold in Ohaozara, Ivo, Afikpo, Edda and Onicha local government areas.
Eight political parties fielded candidates for the election.
They are: All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Action Democratic Congress (ADC),New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP) and Action Peoples Party (APP).
