The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced its readiness for the Akoko North-East and Akoko North-West Federal Constituency by-election scheduled for February 3 in Ondo State.

Mrs. Olutoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, confirmed the preparedness during a statement in Akure on Wednesday. She stated that non-sensitive materials have been received from INEC headquarters and dispatched to the two Local Government Areas.

Babalola, speaking on the sidelines of a two-day training session for Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) at the INEC office in Akure, mentioned that an adequate number of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines have been configured for the election, which will take place in 329 polling units.

She also mentioned that training sessions for Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers will be conducted on Friday, ahead of the election. Eight political parties have presented candidates to contest for the federal constituency seat, which was vacated by Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who was appointed as a minister by President Bola Tinubu.

The parties and their candidates include Action Alliance – Aliyu Ajewole, All Progressives Congress (APC) – Ehindero Ifeoluwa, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) – Adesuyi Victoria Alaba, Action Peoples Party – Ajagunla Olanrewaju A, Labour Party – Abass Arisekola, New Nigeria Peoples Party – Akadiri Mukaila Olusola, Peoples Democratic Party – Olalekan Bada, and Social Democratic Party – Ogunleye Muritala Idowu.

Babalola assured that adequate arrangements have been made for the transportation of personnel, non-sensitive materials, and sensitive materials to the polling units on the day of the election, with sufficient security coverage. She added that the police and other security agencies are working in collaboration with the commission to ensure a peaceful conduct of the by-election in the state.