Ondo Guber Poll: PTF Declares No Facemask, No Voting
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 says voters without facemasks will be barred from performing their civic responsibility during the Ondo State governorship election holding on Saturday, October 10, 2020
According to the PTF’s National Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu, all voters, candidates and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials will be required to honour the various COVID-19 protocols and guidelines that have been put in place for elections.
Dr Aliyu said drawing from lessons learnt during the Edo state gubernatorial poll, Nigeria cannot afford to lose the gains so far made in its coronavirus’ response efforts at the Ondo election.
Speaking during the task force’s media briefing in Abuja disclosed this on Thursday, the National Coordinator said the directive is meant to ensure the electoral process is protected and insulated from aiding the virus spread across the South West State.
He explained that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) would be provided for electoral officers, with all the materials deployed for use as well as the voting environment being properly disinfected for safety purposes.
Dr Aliyu however challenged all candidates and officials of the 17 political parties taking part in the election to lead by example and demonstrate decorum during the voting exercise come Saturday.
