Ondo 2020: INEC Identifies 270 Flashpoints, Plans Massive Deployment Of Security Operatives

Week to the Ondo State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has identified 270 flashpoints across polling units in the state.

Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee, told The Punch in an interview, that the identified flashpoints are situated in 62 creeks in the riverine areas of Ese-Odo and Ilaje local government areas of the state.

Okoye said the commission will, however, deploy security agents to help prevent the menace of rigging and electoral violence in those areas.

“The police, navy and other security agencies have been mandated to engage in clearance operation and flush out groups and individuals that threaten the peace of the state and the electoral process especially in the creeks and other black spots,” he said.

“More than 270 of our polling units are in the riverine areas of Ese-Odo and Ilaje local governments, with over 62 creeks, and we are in touch with the Nigerian navy and the marine police for the purpose of protecting and escorting our personnel and materials to these difficult terrains.

“The security agencies will carry out mop up operations, deploy adequate platforms and conduct massive show of force, especially in identified flashpoints. We will continue to appeal to the political parties and the candidates to eschew violence.”