The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the recent increase in fuel price will not disrupt the conduct of the upcoming governorship election in Edo State scheduled for September 21.
The disclosure was made by INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, who spoke at a pre-election news conference in Abuja.
Oyekanmi clarified that the Commission is taking measures to mitigate the impact of the fuel price increase on transportation arrangements for the election.
He revealed that INEC has been engaging with officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to address concerns and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
“We have been meeting with NURTW officials to discuss the new development, and I’m sure a resolution has been reached. We don’t expect transporters to operate at a loss. If oil prices have gone up, and they need an increment, we can discuss that,” Oyekanmi explained.
According to him, INEC has contingency plans in place to ensure a smooth election, despite any unforeseen challenges.
On preparations for Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs), Oyekanmi assured that INEC is committed to facilitating their participation in the election. He noted that while polling units may not be purposely built for PWDs, electoral officers have been trained to offer necessary assistance to enable them to cast their votes.