Lagos State's Independent National Electoral Commission has begun distributing classified materials to various local governments in the state, intended for use in gubernatorial and lower house elections.
INEC received classified materials (ballots and result sheets) from the Central Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday.
Led by his INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, and Lagos State Police Commissioner CP Idowu Owohunwa, the exercise was overseen by various stakeholders.
His INEC election officials in 20 districts were on hand to distribute materials to his LGA offices in their respective states.
Addressing journalists, Mr Agbaje said INEC is ready to hold free, fair and credible elections on Saturday and asked for the cooperation and support of stakeholders. According to him, all parties involved have kept confidential materials safe and intact to ensure the commission's transparency.
He said redistribution of materials from the council to the state's 245 counties will begin on Thursday.
He said INEC hopes to make sure the materials reach the registration centers and voting units on time on Friday and Saturday mornings respectively.
“He will be back on March 18, where gubernatorial and lower house elections will be held. Elections will be held in his 40 constituencies in Lagos state on Saturday.
"And here at CBN we are collecting sensitive materials, which are escorted by security agencies from here to all 20 municipal districts in the state," Agbaje said. The INEC secretary said the exercise was well-executed, with representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, observers and media demonstrating the commission's transparency.
Agbaje said the commission appealed to security agencies on Saturday to prevent this.
"This time the police commissioner has assured us that the situation will improve," he added.
He said the commission is in constant talks with members of the Interagency Advisory Board on Election Security to improve the security of free and fair elections.
AKP Police Commissioner Sagir Ismail, in his remarks, assured voters and other residents that there will be enough security guards to ensure their safety on Election Day. He urged residents to exercise their right to vote without fear.