INEC retrieves sensitive materials in Jigawa, Kwara

The Independent National Electoral Commission has retrieved all sensitive materials earlier distributed to six Local Government Areas of Jigawa following the rescheduling of Presidential and National Assembly Election to February 23.
Malam Ahmad Daneji, INEC Administrative Secretary in the state, confirmed this while fielding questions from journalists in Dutse, on Saturday.
Daneji gave assurance that the retrieved materials are in safe custody and would be well guarded until the new official date for the election.
He said: “All sensitive materials are safe and well-guarded. We’ve started distribution when we got directives to stop.
“So immediately all our supplies to the LGAs were sent back under heavy security.
“About six LGAs received the consignment between 4 p.m. yesterday and 12:30 am today, all voting materials and sensitive materials were back under heavy security.”
He explained that the materials would remain at INEC state headquarters until the next date for the election.
He added: “We’re not taking the materials back to Central Bank of Nigeria, they will remain with INEC under heavy security.
“As you can see, we are finalising issues day and night until the next date for the election.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that most residents of Dutse have in the early hours of the day remained indoors in spite of the postponement.
However, as at the time of filing the report, activities had began to pick up as residents came out to do one thing or the other.
Some motorists, including commercial motorcycle operators were seen on major roads in pursuit of legitimate activities.
Also, markets and various business premises were opening gradually for business.
Also in Kwara, INEC says it has returned sensitive materials meant for the conduct of the postponed election to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
NAN reports that materials from 11 LGAs of the state have since arrived CBN.
The materials were accompanied to the apex bank by Electoral Officers in each of the LGA under heavy security escort.
Speaking at the premises of the bank, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner  in the state, Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, said he was on ground to supervise the return of the materials.
He said the LGAs that have already deposited their sensitive materials are Asa, Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Isin, Ekiti, Moro, Ifelodun, Oyun, Oke-Ero, Offa, Edu, Pategi, Oke-Ero and Irepodun.
According to him, only two LGAs- Kaiama and Baruten are yet to return their sensitive materials to the bank due to distance.
He however expressed optimism that the remaining materials would arrive before 8p.m.
He added that the sensitive materials included ballot papers and result sheets.
He said the materials would be collected from the CBN on Friday, Feb. 22, and taken back to the 193 Registration Areas in the 16 LGAs.
Attahiru-Madami however added that the materials would be accompanied to their various RAs by armed security personnel.
He said INEC is very ready for the election.