The materials were distributed amidst tight security in the presence of party agents, election observers and other critical stakeholders.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials across the 20 local government areas in Bauchi state ahead of the March 18th governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

Speaking during the distribution of the election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch office in Bauchi, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mohammed Nura, said the electoral body decided to commence the distribution in time to ensure there was no delay of reaching all parts of the state.

According to the REC, for the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections, materials were distributed on Thursday and they still reached the 20 local government headquarters the same day, adding that the materials were distributed to the polling units in the state on Friday and Saturday morning.

Nura said for this weekend’s elections, INEC decided to distribute the materials Wednesday, to ensure that there was enough time to rectify any shortfall in the materials anywhere such was discovered.

He added that it would also give the state office the opportunity to report any shortfalls discovered to national the headquarters of the commission for early replacement before Saturday.

The distribution of the materials was conducted amidst tight security in the presence of party agents, election observers and other critical stakeholders.

Some of the stakeholders interviewed expressed their satisfaction and confidence in the process.