The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday commenced the distribution of voting materials to the 30 Local Government Areas and one area office in Osun State, showing the readiness of the commission for today’s governorship election.

The distribution of the materials ahead of time is aimed at ensuring that the electoral process begins early in local councils of the state in the south-western part of Nigeria.

At the Osun central senatorial district, it was a beehive of activities at the various INEC offices at the local government level, as officials sorted different materials necessary for the conduct of the election.

The situation in the state remained calm, with business activities in top gear before the commencement of the 6:00pm to 6:00am restriction of movement in connection with the election.

The state command of the Nigeria Police Force had announced a restriction of movement, saying it was necessary for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Some of the residents of the state’ capital, Osogbo, interviewed said they were praying for the peaceful conduct of the election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had on Wednesday while briefing the press and political parties assured of the readiness of the commission to conduct a peaceful, credible, free and fair election that Nigerians would be proud of.

The election is crucial, as it is the last one that will test the readiness of the commission for the 2015 general elections.

INEC has stressed that only voters with the permanent voter’s card would be allowed to vote in today’s election in which Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the main challenger to incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

•Adapted from a Channels TV report. Photo shows INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

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