The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that the recent hike in fuel prices will not affect the conduct of the Edo governorship election. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made this statement during a pre-election news conference in Abuja on Saturday.
Oyekanmi revealed that the commission has been meeting with officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to discuss the impact of the fuel price hike on transportation for the election. He expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached to ensure that transporters do not operate at a loss.
The INEC spokesperson also addressed concerns about the possibility of prefilled result sheets, which marred the Kogi election, reoccurring in Edo. He assured that the commission has implemented measures to prevent such incidents, including the use of custom-made result sheets with security features.
Oyekanmi further assured Nigerians that it would not be possible to collate results in any polling unit where the election is not held, as presiding officers are required to report any disruptions or cancellations.
With over 4,500 polling units to be used in the Edo election, Oyekanmi expressed confidence in the commission’s preparedness to conduct a free and fair election.
