Ahead of governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states slated for September and October respectively, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it needed further consultations with “security agencies and health authorities on resumption of work in the two states as soon as possible.”
Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement said the position was taken at the end of a management meeting of the commission held on Thursday.
Okoye was silent on fears in certain quarters that the coronavirus pandemic could disrupt the preparations for the elections.
He however maintained that the commission “will resume engagement with political parties, civil society groups and organisations, the media and other stakeholders in relation to the Edo and Ondo state governorship elections.”
Another meeting, the statement revealed, has been fixed for next week to discuss modalities with stakeholders.
The statement said ahead of resumption, the commission’s headquarter, electoral offices and staff clinic would be decontaminated.
The statement equally revealed other precautionary measures and health protocols for the Commission staff.
It reads in part: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met on Thursday, 7th May 2020 and deliberated on the step by step protocol for the resumption of activities and operations as well as preparations for the conduct of the Edo and Ondo state governorship elections and other pending senatorial and state assembly bye-elections.
“At the end of the meeting, the Commission resolved as follows:
“The commission will work out modalities for the ramping up of activities in two of the states where it has governorship elections (Edo and Ondo) and will liaise with the security agencies and health authorities on resumption of work in the two states as soon as possible.
“The commission will resume engagement with political arties, civil society groups and organisations, the media and other stakeholders in relation to the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. The modalities for these engagements will be worked out and considered at its next meeting on May 14, 2020.”
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