The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in Ondo State have reaffirmed their readiness for the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for June 20, 2026.

This assurance was given during a quarterly consultative meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) convened by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, in Akure.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Agboke commended members of the committee for their continued collaboration in ensuring peaceful, credible and transparent elections in the state. He also briefed stakeholders on the level of preparedness by the Commission for the forthcoming poll.

The REC said the meeting was convened to review preparations and security arrangements for the bye-election in line with INEC’s constitutional mandate, while also drawing attention to electoral offences as contained in the Electoral Act 2026.

According to him, the election will be conducted across the six local government areas that make up the Ondo South Senatorial District, covering 1,354 polling units and 66 registration areas.

Discussions at the meeting focused on critical aspects of election planning, particularly logistics, security and the deployment of election materials and personnel.

Participants identified the procurement, protection and distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials as key factors that would determine the success of the exercise.

Representatives of various security agencies assured the Commission of adequate support, pledging to deploy personnel early to facilitate the timely movement of election materials and ad hoc staff to designated locations.

Dr. Agboke stressed that the success of the bye-election would require the collective efforts of all stakeholders, noting that the responsibility for conducting a peaceful and credible election should not rest on INEC alone.

He further emphasised the importance of public enlightenment and voter education, saying increased voter sensitisation would boost participation and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner of Police, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, representatives of the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Navy, the Federal Fire Service and the National Youth Service Corps.

Stakeholders at the meeting reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order before, during and after the election.

They also pledged to work closely with INEC to ensure that voters, electoral officials and election materials are adequately protected throughout the exercise.

The meeting ended with a renewed resolve by all participating agencies to deliver a peaceful, secure and credible bye-election in Ondo South Senatorial District.