20th June, 2014
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured physically challenged persons of adequate security during Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of INEC in the state, Taiwo Gbadegesin, gave the assurance in an interview with NAN in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.
He said the commission was conscious of the peculiar condition of that category of Nigerians and would make sure they perform their civic responsibility.
The spokesman said the commission had embarked on a sensitisation programme since February to educate residents, particularly rural dwellers, on the need to ensure a peaceful election.
INEC, he added, had met members of the traditional institution as well as other stakeholders to enlighten them on the need for a peaceful poll.
“We are very much optimistic that we will not have any problem,” he said.
He also allayed the fears being expressed by some journalists covering the election over their safety.
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has given the assurance that journalists and other stakeholders will have maximum security.
Gbadegesin, however, advised politicians to eschew acts capable of breaching the peace during and after the election.
“We want to appeal to our people not to panic in view of the presence of security personnel in town; they are to protect us,” he said.