Senate committee leads National Assembly delegation to monitor Osun poll

A delegation from the Nigerian Senate Committee on Electoral Matters has conducted an oversight visit to Osun State ahead of Saturday's governorship election, aiming to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Led by committee chairman Senator Simon Lalong, the delegation arrived on Thursday to assess the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) preparedness for the off-cycle election. This visit aligns with the National Assembly's constitutional oversight powers.

During their visit, the committee members, including senators and members of the House of Representatives, were briefed by Osun State's Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Babalola, and other national commissioners. Senator Lalong emphasized that the purpose was to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of INEC's readiness and to identify any potential issues that could hinder a smooth election.

The briefing covered security arrangements and the deployment of sensitive electoral materials to polling units across the state. INEC officials provided assurances that the commission is fully prepared to conduct an election that meets the required standards for fairness and credibility. The Senate committee acknowledged the points raised and pledged to take necessary legislative actions if required, indicating their commitment to supporting a transparent electoral process.

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The purpose of the visit was to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of INEC’s level of preparedness and identify any challenges that could affect the conduct of the election. He said the exercise was also aimed at ensuring that the electoral process met the required standards for a free, fair and credible election.