The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) starts distribution of sensitive election materials for upcoming senatorial bye-elections in both Ondo and Rivers states. In Ondo State, INEC distributes the materials for the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Akure, with the exercise supervised by INEC officials, security agencies, and representatives of political parties, according to reports. The Vanguard report says the vote is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, and notes that the biometric voter accreditation system (BVAS) is tested and backups are available. Daily Post Nigeria attributes the Ondo State distribution to information provided by INEC’s Head of Department of Voter Education and Publicity, Olayinka Ogunseye.
In Rivers State, INEC also begins distributing sensitive materials for the Rivers South-East Senatorial District bye-election at the CBN office in Port Harcourt. The reports link the election to filling a vacancy created by the death of former Senator Barry Mpigi, and Punch reports that 858,573 registered voters are expected to participate. Daily Post Nigeria reports that the Rivers materials are secured appropriately during the distribution process.
