The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is prepared to monitor the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election on Saturday in Ondo State.

The INEC resident electoral commissioner in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the commission was prepared for the APC primary and those of the 17 other political parties contesting the November 16 governorship election.

Ms Babalola told journalists in Akure on Thursday that 18 political parties had notified the commission of their intentions to conduct governorship primary elections.

“So, as regards the APC primary coming up on Saturday, which the party has adopted a direct method of primary, we are ready for the monitoring.

“Our people are on the field, we are ready to cover the primary, and we will make sure we report according to what we see on ground,” Ms Babalola said.

Commenting on the reported incident of the arrest of some agents of an aspirant issuing fake APC membership cards, Ms Babalola said only political parties could differentiate between authentic and fake party cards.

The REC, who admonished all the political parties to play according to their party’s constitution guidelines and electoral process, said that officials of the commission would be unbiased in their role.

She implored the parties to provide a level playing ground for their aspirants.

“I will advise all political parties to play according to the rules of the parties and not to encourage any form of violence.

“And political parties should not allow hate speech that is capable of heating up the polity,” Ms Babalola said. 

(NAN)