By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
HOURS to the general elections, Mr Abubakar Sadiq Musa, INEC Resident Commissioner in Sokoto state has said that 1,726, 887 million eligible voters with PVCs are expected to vote Saturday as he vowed to conduct exercise with every sense of honesty and fairness to all without compromising the process.
Similarly, the REC said out of the 1.892,378 PVCs issued to the state, 1, 726,887 million had been claimed with 155,958 unclaimed.
” All unclaimed PVCs had been retrieved from LGs and taken to CBN for safe custody until after elections.”
Musa spoke in Sokoto Thursday during a last minute interactive meeting organised by the agency for stakeholders which include all security agencies, political parties, CSOs, NGOs and other relevant bodies.
He said ” elections will be conducted in Sokoto state with fairness and sincerity no matter who’s Ox is gored.
” The election will be free and fair”, he assured.
On election materials, Musa while x-raying its activities, explained that all non and less sensitive materials had been received and being distributed to respective LGs.
” Except the Card Reader which is still in our custody.”
He also explained all vehicles conveying materials to designated destination were tracked and monitored against diversion, adding ” any attempt, both the driver, security personnel and official involved will be dealt with in accordingly.”
He further disclosed that the state had trained and recruited 17,000 adhoc staff to serve as Presiding and Assistant Presiding Officers from serving and ex- Corps members(2017/18) as well students from federal universities respectively.
” We require only 16,000 adhoc staff but had to train 17,000 against any eventuality. Also Supervising Officers went through the rigorous training and screening “, he explained.
Musa in the same vein urged politicians to ensure a hitch free exercise by allowing a peaceful atmosphere to exist .
He said special arrangements had been made to take care of the physically challenged to exercise their franchise without hitch.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Ibrahim Ka’ oje has assured of adequate security across all polling stations, stressing that ” we will not condone lawlessness of any kind. Police is equal to the task without fear or favour. Those who think can violate the laws we are ready to take them up while we exhibit professionalism and civil conduct in respecting the rights of the public and potential voters”, he pointed out.
