From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) has declared its readiness for Saturday’s local government election, following the distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials across the state.
The commission assured voters that all necessary arrangements had been concluded to ensure a smooth, peaceful, free, fair, and credible election involving 11 political parties.
Speaking with journalists during the distribution of election materials at the commission’s central store in Yola, the Commissioner for Logistics and Field Operations, Emmanuel Anuhu Abba, said sensitive and non-sensitive materials were already being dispatched to the various local government areas.
According to him, trucks loaded with election materials had begun moving to their respective destinations, with about 10 local government areas already taking delivery ahead of the polls.
“We have commenced the distribution of all electoral materials required for the election. Sensitive and non-sensitive items are being transported to the various local government areas to ensure they arrive on time,” he said.
Abba noted that special attention had been given to areas with security concerns, particularly Madagali and Michika local government areas.
He added that security agencies had put adequate measures in place to protect election personnel, materials, and voters throughout the exercise.
The commissioner emphasized that the commission was determined to prevent the late arrival of election materials, which often contributes to delays and tension during elections.
“We have instructed all our Resident Electoral Officers to ensure that election materials reach polling units by 8:00 a.m. so that voting can commence as scheduled,” he stated.
Anuhu also dismissed rumours that some political parties had been excluded from the election, insisting that all 11 parties cleared by the commission had their names on the ballot paper.
He listed some of the participating parties as SDP, ADC, YPP, AAC, APC, PDP, APP, APM, and Labour Party, among others, and urged their supporters to disregard misinformation and come out to vote peacefully.
The commissioner called on eligible voters across Adamawa State to exercise their democratic rights, assuring them that the commission remained committed to conducting a transparent, free, and fair local government election.