Osun Bye-election: INEC says July 8 sacrosanct as police imposes 12hr vehicular restriction

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has doused the fear of some political parties on alleged plan to shift the date of Osun West Senatorial district by-election.

The commissio affirmed July 8, 2017 date for the election, assuring the public of free, fair and credible election.

This is as the INEC national headquarters has deployed Resident Electoral Commissioner of Delta State Mr. Baritor Kpagih, as the by-election officer.

Addressing stakeholders comprising INEC officials, Security agencies, representatives of political parties, the media among others, Kpagih, pleaded for cooperation.

Kpagih, who was deployed to Osun State to conduct the election, noted that while eleven political parties would participate in the election only electorates with permanent voters card verified by card readers would be allowed to vote during the election.

The REC who further disclosed that voting and accreditation would take place simultaneously said voting would commence by 8:00am and close by 2:00pm adding however that whosoever was on queue at the closing hour would be allowed to vote.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner of police, Mr. Olafimihan Adeoye announced the restriction of vehicular movement between the hours of 6:00am and 6:00pm of election day adding however that Ibadan/Ife expressway would be free for passage.

He warned those who have no business in the electoral process to stay off ballot area adding that security agencies will collaborate to ensure a violent free election.

In his remark, the Director of NYSC Mr. Emmanuel Attah urged politicians not to harass or intimidate corps members deployed as INEC ad hoc staff while performing their duty.

He noted that there are no fake corp members in the state adding that whosoever attempt to impersonate corp members would be detected promptly and made to face the music.

Foreigners have also been warned not to tarnish the image if their country and therefore advised to stay away from polling units as they are not entitle to vote.

The Controller of Immigration in the State, Mr. Idowu Adebowale said his command would not tolerate miscreants attempting to loiter around polling units