The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted a mock accreditation exercise on Wednesday in Ondo State, in preparation for the upcoming November 16 governorship election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, alongside the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, and other officials, monitored the exercise across various local government areas, including Akure South, Akure North, and Idanre.
Expressing satisfaction with the functionality of the accreditation equipment, Prof. Yakubu affirmed that the commission’s systems, including facial recognition for voter verification, performed as expected, signaling strong readiness for the election. “We can’t take readiness for granted,” he stated, noting that the exercise aimed to validate system performance under real-world conditions.
Yakubu also confirmed that sensitive election materials would arrive on November 14, completing logistical preparations. He called on political parties, candidates, and supporters to maintain peace for a smooth election, emphasizing INEC’s commitment to opening polling units on time and accrediting voters efficiently.
In Akure, Mrs. Adebimpe Bankole, who participated in the mock accreditation at Alagbaka Primary School, praised the process for its speed and efficiency, saying she looked forward to casting her vote on election day.