The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to local government areas in Edo State ahead of Saturday’s scheduled by-elections.

The distribution exercise took place at the Benin branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, where political party representatives and members of civil society organisations were on hand to witness proceedings.

Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Edo State, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, told journalists that the commission deemed it necessary to involve all political parties fielding candidates in the polls to ensure transparency.

According to him, the stakeholders present expressed satisfaction with the handling of the materials.

“The exercise so far has been seamless, and we are fully prepared.

“The sensitive materials will be dispatched from here to the seven local government areas where the elections will take place,” Onuoha stated.