Abuja – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the results of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State will be transmitted electronically.
Gabriel Longpet , the state Resident Electoral Commissioner ((REC) disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday while speaking a workshop/roundtable organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) organised for journalists.
The workshop is being attended by 26 journalists drawn from electronic, print and online newspaper platforms.
Longpet said the results of the election will be transmitted electronically from 3,508 polling units in 239 wards across the state.
He said the decision was to prevent undesirable elements from tampering with the manual results between the polling units and collation centres.
According to the REC, the commission will use lessons and experienced gained during the last general elections to improve on its preparations and conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election.
Longpet also promised to use the coming governorship election to correct the negative impression Nigerians have about elections in Kogi State.
He said the commission had been engaging in meetings and discussions with security agencies, political parties and their candidates, media, civil society organisations, traditional and religious started and other stakeholders as part of efforts to deliver a credible election.
He also said the commission will soon start organising training and re-training programmes for ad hoc staff that will be on duty on election day.
The REC called on political parties and candidates contesting the election to complement INEC efforts by embarking on education and enlightenment programmes for their members and followers.
He said that security agencies have also promised to deploy enough men for the election.
Longpet said election materials and INEC officials will be provided maximum security during the election.
When asked about the violence that rocked the conduct of February 25 and March 18 general elections in some parts of the state, the Commissioner said 215 persons arrested in connection with the offence are currently being investigated by police.
He assured that the INEC will conduct a free, fair, transparent and acceptable election come November 11.
Longpet also promised that the INEC will conduct an all inclusive election, promising that people living with disabilities and elderly persons will all have the opportunity to exercise their franchise. (vitalnewsngr.com)
