Osun election: INEC to deploy more security

The Residential Electoral Commission, REC, in Osun State, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, has said there are plans by the Independent National electoral Commission, INEC, to deploy heavy security in Osun for the coming governorship election.

Agbaje made this known yesterday in Abuja at a meeting held with him by civil society organisations (CSO) ahead of the August 9 governorship election in Osun State.

According to him, like the situation during the June 21 poll in Ekiti State, the deployment of security men might be needed in Osun State due to the heightening security situation in the state. “There will be improved security deployment.

I cannot say the level of security deployment in Osun will be less than that of Ekiti. This is because of the utterances of the political leaders and the heavy threat of violence,” he said. Agbaje gave the assurance that INEC had credible voter’s register and would surely deliver a fairer election than that of Ekiti.

He said the total of registered voters in the state amounted to 1,407,222 with about 63 per cent translating to 792,200 of the registered voters who as at last Friday, received their permanent voter card.

Stressing that no registered voter would be allowed to vote on the day of election without having his or her permanent voter card, he said there would be a final phase of distribution of the permanent voter card on July 26 and 27.

“Temporary voter card shall not be used,” he said. He added that 19 candidates had so far been cleared to contest the election. On the setback which characterised the Anambra State governorship election last year, he said, “The Anambra case was not as bad as it was portrayed.

The intention of the commission is to ensure that Osun election be better than that of Ekiti so we can have credible election in 2015.”