The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed its readiness to oversee the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Ondo State.
Oluwatoyin Babalola, the INEC resident electoral commissioner in the state, assured that the commission is fully prepared to oversee not only the APC primary but also those of the 17 other political parties vying in the November 16 governorship election.
Ms. Babalola disclosed this to journalists in Akure, stating that a total of 18 political parties have informed the commission of their plans to conduct governorship primary elections.
“So, as regards the APC primary coming up on Saturday, which the party has adopted a direct method of primary, we are ready for the monitoring.
“Our people are on the field, we are ready to cover the primary, and we will make sure we report according to what we see on ground,” Ms Babalola said.
Commenting on the reported incident of the arrest of some agents of an aspirant issuing fake APC membership cards, Ms Babalola said only political parties could differentiate between authentic and fake party cards.
The REC, who admonished all the political parties to play according to their party’s constitution guidelines and electoral process, said that officials of the commission would be unbiased in their role.
She implored the parties to provide a level playing ground for their aspirants.
“I will advise all political parties to play according to the rules of the parties and not to encourage any form of violence.
“And political parties should not allow hate speech that is capable of heating up the polity,” Ms Babalola said.
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