The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, distributed sensitive election materials to all eight local government areas in Bayelsa ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Wilfred Ifogah, head of voter education and publicity at INEC’s State Headquarters, informed journalists in Yenagoa that the items had been in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Yenagoa and were distributed in the presence of representatives from all political parties participating in the polls.

“The distribution took place earlier today in the presence of political parties and security agencies. 

“Currently, the sensitive materials are at our local government offices from where they will be dispatched to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) on Friday. 

“On Saturday, the materials will then be taken from the RACs to various polling units for setup,” Mr Ifogah said.

A journalist who visited the INEC State Headquarters in Yenagoa and the Yenagoa LGA office of INEC, reports heavy presence of stern-looking armed security men screening people and vehicles within the vicinity.

Detachments of police and other security agencies deployed for election duties have been arriving in the state since Wednesday while political parties wrap up their campaigns.

A total of 1,056,862 registered voters are expected to go to the polls on Nov. 11 to elect a governor for the state during the off-cycle election.

 (NAN)