Yakubu Mahmoud, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the electoral umpire is prepared for the off-cycle gubernatorial polls in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.

Yakubu, in a statement personally signed on Thursday, said the choice of who would emerge as governor lies within the voters, stressing that all sensitive and non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the respective states.

He noted that irrespective of the difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, land and maritime transportation arrangements have been made to enable INEC officials to commence the voting on schedule.

Yakubi also urged INEC officials to demonstrate high patriotism and professionalism, stressing that the Commission is not a political party and has no candidate in the election.

He added that this is the first time in Nigeria’s history that these elections are held on the same day and across three geopolitical zones of the country.

The statement reads, “Our responsibility is to safeguard the process and ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

“The choice of who becomes the Governor of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States is entirely in the hands of voters.

“We have delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the elections. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured for deployment to polling units as the only means of voter verification and fingerprint/facial biometric authentication of voters.

“Polling Unit results will be uploaded to the INC Result Viewing (IRe) portal. All election-duty officials have been trained.

“Arrangements have been made for land and maritime transportation to enable us to commence voting on schedule. In spite of the extremely difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, we are determined to ensure that our officials are there waiting for voters, rather than the voters waiting for our arrival.

“For these off-cycle elections, the Commission is deploying two National Commissioners, nine (9) Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), and Administrative Secretaries (ASs), as well as additional staff from different states to each of the three states to support the process. They will be deployed across the senatorial zones in the States.

“Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. As with every election, lessons have been learned from recent elections. We will continue to ensure free, fair, and credible and inclusive elections, but INEC cannot do it alone.

“We have received assurances from the security agencies that the environment will be secure for electoral activities and all participants: voters, electoral officials, accredited observers, the media, and polling and collection agents.

“Political parties and candidates have signed the peace accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC). Let us maintain the peace and play our roles conscientiously. By doing so, we shall continue to consolidate our democracy.”