Ondo 2020,Only PVC owners will vote- REC

Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Rufus Akeju has stated that only 1,478,460 voters are expected to participate in the October 10, governorship election, out of the 1,822, 346 registered voters in Ondo State.

This is coming as a result of  the 372, 888 permanent voters card yet to be collected.

Akeju who stated this in Akure, said the owners of the PVCs refused to collect despite several appeals and awareness for PVC collection. He  emphasized that  only those with PVCs would be allowed to vote.

He said all COVID-19 protocols would be followed during the conduct of the elections.

In a related report, Chairmanship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, in Idanre local government, Mr. Bankole Akinselure and his running mate, Mr. Idowu Akinrotohun have been hospitalised after been attacked by thugs.

The thugs were said to have used matchet to inflict bodily injuries on Bankole, Akinrotohun and other stalwarts of the party at the party’s secretariat at Agosile Odode area of Idanre town.Witnesses said the suspected thugs carried out the attacks at a meeting of SDP members in Idanre town.

The Ondo Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) had fixed local elections forSaturday, August 22, and the SDP is one the 10 political parties participating in the election.

The party is factionalised as it conducted parallel primaries where two candidates, Alhaji Adekunle Saliu and Mr. Tope Fasua emerged but INEC recognised Fasua. Though the attack has not been ascertain to the factions, there are indications to it.

SDP members present at the meeting pointed accusing fingers at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the town.

A member of the SDP who was attacked said the thugs were hired to disrupt the meeting because of the popularity of the party in the area.

According to him, “The attack was launched on us during a meeting at our office (SDP Secretariat) at the Agosile Odode in Idanre.

Mr. Akinselure said it was unfortunate that policemen who were alerted but late, came  to the scene of the attack but failed to stop the attackers.”

Spokesman for the Ondo State Police Command ASP Tee Leo-Ikoro, said no arrest was made because the SDP members said they have settled the matter.

He said it was skirmishes between SDP members.