The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has begun sorting and distributing sensitive materials for the local government elections scheduled for Saturday.
As early as 8:00 AM on Friday, observers and security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilante groups were present to assist with the process.
In a discussion with journalists, KOSIEC Chairman Mamman Eri promised that the elections would be transparent, free, and credible. He noted that local government electoral officers were ready to transport the materials to various local government areas and wards after picking them up from the SIEC office.
Eri called for collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure a smooth election. He announced that there would be a restriction of movement on Saturday, with accreditation and voting scheduled to take place from 9 AM to 3 PM. Security personnel will be stationed at polling stations to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Amb Idris Ozovehe Muraina, an accredited observer and Chairperson of the Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET), expressed optimism about the election process. “We are looking forward to seeing an election that will reflect the will of the people and not otherwise. I am calling on the chairman of the Commission to be diligent and ensure that the right things are done because his integrity is at stake.”
Muraina urged the chairman and his team to stay focused on following electoral laws and encouraged security agencies to remain neutral. He also called on voters to come out in large numbers and vote for their chosen candidates.
