INEC is ready to oversee the APC primary election in Ondo State, along with those of 17 other political parties gearing up for the November 16 governorship race.
Oluwatoyin Babalola, the INEC resident electoral commissioner in the state, confirmed the commission’s readiness, stating that 18 parties have informed INEC of their plans to conduct gubernatorial primary elections.
Babalola made these remarks during a press briefing in Akure on Thursday.
“So, as regards the APC primary coming up on Saturday, which the party has adopted a direct method of primary, we are ready for the monitoring.
“Our people are on the field, we are ready to cover the primary, and we will make sure we report according to what we see on ground,” Babalola said.
Commenting on the reported incident of the arrest of some agents of an aspirant issuing fake APC membership cards, Ms Babalola said only political parties could differentiate between authentic and fake party cards.
The REC, who admonished all the political parties to play according to their party’s constitution guidelines and electoral process, said that officials of the commission would be unbiased in their role.
She implored the parties to provide a level playing ground for their aspirants.
“I will advise all political parties to play according to the rules of the parties and not to encourage any form of violence.
“And political parties should not allow hate speech that is capable of heating up the polity,” Babalola said.