The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured political parties and other stakeholders that it will strictly enforce its transport logistics arrangements for the August 15 Osun State governorship election, insisting that transport unions engaged for the exercise must remain neutral throughout the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, stressing that the Commission would not compromise the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with transport unions responsible for moving personnel and sensitive election materials.
He explained that the unions would play a critical role in the election and must discharge their responsibilities impartially without supporting any political party.
Prof. Amupitan disclosed that the Commission would hold a separate engagement with transport union leaders to reinforce the terms of the agreement and ensure full compliance with the neutrality expected of all service providers participating in the election.
The INEC Chairman described logistics as one of the most critical components of a successful election, noting that the Commission was determined to achieve its target of commencing voting by 8:30 a.m. in all 3,763 polling units across Osun State.
To facilitate early deployment, he announced that Registration Area Centres (RACs) would open from 12 noon on Friday, August 14, ahead of election day, allowing electoral officials, security personnel, election materials and transport vehicles to assemble and remain at designated centres before deployment on Saturday morning.
According to him, the early deployment strategy is designed to eliminate logistical delays and ensure prompt commencement of accreditation and voting across the state.
As part of measures to improve operational efficiency, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission had decentralised its logistics structure by activating 97 Super Registration Area Centres (Super RACs) and 105 Registration Area Centres across Osun State.
He added that the expanded network would strengthen the distribution of election materials and personnel while reducing the risk of delays on election day.
The INEC Chairman also announced a performance-based reward system for Electoral Officers whose local government areas achieve 100 per cent commencement of voting by 8:30 a.m.
He said the initiative is intended to encourage timely deployment and reduce opportunities for electoral malpractice that could arise from delayed voting.
Prof. Amupitan reiterated that 14 political parties had been cleared to participate in the governorship election, with all candidates duly published by the Commission.
Also speaking, the National Commissioner supervising Osun State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, commended the Commission’s leadership for prioritising staff welfare and expressed confidence in the preparedness of INEC officials to conduct a free, fair, inclusive and conclusive election.
He said the Commission had assembled a committed workforce capable of delivering an electoral process that reflects the will of the people.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola, equally assured stakeholders that preparations for the election had reached an advanced stage.
She said the Commission had held a series of engagements with transport unions to guarantee the seamless movement of personnel and election materials to Registration Area Centres, polling units, collation centres and for post-election retrieval of materials.
Babalola added that every operational decision being taken by the Commission was aimed at strengthening public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that the Osun governorship election sets a high standard for transparency, professionalism and credibility.
