By Gift Olivia Samuel, The Sight News
As the people of Ekiti State prepare to head to the polls on Saturday, June 18, 2022, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has urged members of staff of the Commission to firmly resist any unethical behavior and to remain above board.
Yakubu, who said this in a message to the staff ahead of the polls, appealed to them to uphold INEC’s Code of Conduct, displaying their usual sense of responsibility and professionalism.
He also charged them to ensure that no political party or candidate is accorded any advantage over the other, and emphasized that they must always, stick strictly to the Oath of Neutrality to which they have all subscribed and continually live up to the trust that Nigerians repose in them.
He explained that, “From June 2021 when we released the timetable and schedule of activities for the Ekiti Governorship Election, we have collectively implemented several activities and taken every step to guarantee a free, fair, credible, and inclusive process this Saturday 18th June 2022.
“This election is coming seven months after the successful conduct of the Anambra State Governorship Election in November 2021, but it will be historic because it will be the first governorship election to be conducted based on the provisions of the new Electoral Act 2022.
“At the Stakeholders’ meeting held last Tuesday, I assured the political parties, their flagbearers, and the good people of Ekiti State that the choice of who becomes the next governor of the State is entirely in the hands of the voters. I said so confidently because I strongly believe in the commitment, efficiency, and determination of all of you, our dedicated staff, to ensure a level playing field on Election Day, which is just 48 hours away”, he said.
He also reminded them that the people of Ekiti State and indeed all Nigerians will be watching closely and waiting to see if INEC will fulfill its promise.
“They will observe the opening time of each of the 2,445 polling units in the State, the conduct of our staff, how you attend to voters and your attitude towards Persons with Disability”, Yakubu added.
The INEC boss thanked the Commission’s staff for all their efforts.
